Lifeguard qualification to be assessed in Thames

Thames Centennial Pool to begin assessing national pool lifeguard award

Coromandel Peninsula residents wanting to become nationally qualified pool lifeguards can now train and be assessed in Thames.

Thames Centennial Pool Manager, Paul Dufty, who became an assessor earlier this month, says people have two options to gain their qualifications.

"They can take an intensive two-day course with an assessment at the end of the second day, or an ongoing programme in one-hour blocks at times that suit them, until they are ready to be assessed," he said. "Applicants must also have a current first aid certificate."

Dufty is not only a qualified lifeguard assessor, but also a competitive swimmer in his own right, recently winning his 35-40 age-group by four minutes at the State Ocean swim. He swam the 2.8km from Devonport to the viaduct in 37 minutes in a field of 1,200 including five other local competitors.

"I personally enjoy getting in the water and sharing my knowledge of swimming," he adds.

Anyone interested in gaining the nationally recognised pool lifeguard qualification should call the Thames Centennial Pool.