Changing Lives, Making WAVEs.

What began as a personal goal has developed into a professional achievement for the park and recreation

San Diego's young people are discovering that being a lifeguard takes more than just a red swimsuit, a whistle, and a killer tan. The Winter Aquatic Vocational Education (WAVE) program, an intensive six-week lifeguard training program, is giving kids ages 15 and older from low-income and minority households the opportunity to become certified lifeguards and more -- all at an affordable price.

San Diego takes great pride in the ethnic and economic diversity of its neighborhoods. When I signed on as a supervising recreation specialist for the city in 1990, I noticed that many of the city's pool staffs did not reflect the communities they were serving. This had been a concern for a number of years. As a young competitive swimmer and pool guard, I can recall that the lifeguards who worked with me did not represent my community.

As a minority growing up in Texas, I can remember how my swim coach related so well to the local Latino swimmers and their parents. In fact, he was effective in relating to all children and parents, regardless of their ethnic or economic background. Later, when I became a paid lifeguard, I was the only Hispanic and bilingual staff member at my assigned pool. Children and parents were so pleased that I was able to relate to them and communicate with them in their own language. It gave me great joy to be able to make a difference in my community.

In an effort to recruit minority applicants for lifeguard positions with the city of San Diego, I established the WAVE program in 1991. What began as a personal goal has developed into a professional achievement for the park and recreation department.

Before officially enrolling in the program, WAVE applicants are required to complete a rigorous precourse testing process, which includes endurance skills and an explanation of why they wish to participate. Applicants must also demonstrate a sincere commitment to community service. The registration fee is 875, with scholarships of up to 865 for qualified participants.

Training is Diversified

In addition to earning American Red Cross lifeguarding and first-aid certifications, which are necessary to apply for an entry-level position with the San Diego Park and Recreation Department, WAVE participants also receive training in lifeguarding, community first-aid and safety, and CPR. Job-application and interviewing skills are also absorbed.

Upon successful completion of the course, each WAVE graduate is required to fulfill at least 30 hours (25 at an approved aquatics facility in San Diego County, five with the San Diego/Imperial County chapter of the American Red Cross) of community service before receiving his or her lifeguard certification. Agreed upon at the beginning of the program, this volunteer component must be completed within six months of graduation.

Because WAVE participants guard alongside other lifeguards, help with pool maintenance, and assist with learn-to-swim classes, this volunteer time also serves as a mini-internship. The knowledge and experience they gain will not only help them secure their first jobs, it will provide skills they can use for the rest of their lives. Boasting the "smartest guards in town," the WAVE program is continually evolving to meet participants' needs. For example, this year's program will offer a precourse swim clinic to teach and review swim strokes.

Since its inception, the WAVE program has graduated 190 skilled and confident lifeguards, 67 of which have applied for paid positions with the city of San Diego. Once hired, they are free to explore becoming swim instructors, youth-swim and water polo coaches, water fitness instructors, American Red Cross training instructors, and facility managers. They're also free to get fitted for that red swimsuit and whistle.

A graduate of San Diego State University, Belinda Bencomo felt the need to give something back to her community. So Bencomo, now a supervising recreation specialist for the San Diego Park and Recreation Department, developed the Winter Aquatic Vocational Education, or WAVE, program. This intensive six-week lifeguard training program is giving kids from low-income and minority households the opportunity to become certified lifeguards (p. 60).