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.
ENDS