| Los Angeles City Open Water Division |
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In addition to our specialized dive team, the City of Los Angeles provides lifeguard services at three Open Water Facilities. Namely, one beach and two lakes. The following is a list of facilities that are currently guarded by L.A. City Open Water Lifeguards (OWL's).
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 Requirements to become an L.A. City Open Water Lifeguard:
- Must be 18 years old by date of hire and have a valid CA driver's license.
Los Angeles City Open Water Training Academy: 0800-1800 each day @ Cabrillo Beach, 2013 dates are: 3/9(orientation), 3/23, 3/24, 3/30, 4/6, 4/7, 4/13, 4/14, 4/20, 4/27(graduation) Candidates are trained according to standards laid out by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA). The Lifeguard Academy is conducted at Cabrillo Beach with one day at Hansen Dam. At Cabrillo Beach, the classroom sessions are held in the historical Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse. During the Open Water Training Academy, each candidate is given extensive instruction on the following material: 
Each day the candidates will also participate in numerous competitive "Physical Training Events" (PT), which will include running, swimming, paddling, or most likely a combination of all three. Each of these events is meant to physically and mentally prepare the candidates for the extreme physical nature of open water lifeguarding. Make sure you are prepared for COLD water. Wintertime ocean temperatures vary between 51 and 58 degrees F at Cabrillo Beach (Average academy water temperature is 56 degrees F). Check out the current Cabrillo Beach Surf Report. At the end of the academy, the candidates are each tested individually as well as their ability to work within a team with various medical and rescue scenarios. They are also given a comprehensive written exam for each. Each candidate is then ranked according to their overall score. Hiring takes place according to your rank at the end of the academy. The number of candidates hired after completion of the training academy depends on the current demand at each of the open water facilities. Completion of the training academy does NOT guarantee you a position as an open water lifeguard. Check out our open water lifeguard photo gallery! To get a better idea of what training is going to be like, watch our Open Water Lifeguard Training Video! This video contains footage from actual training classes. Remember, the key to success is proper preparation! Completion of training and working at an open water facility makes you eligible to compete at the open water lifeguard competitions. Get in shape with some great pool swimming workouts! Check out the current Cabrillo Beach Surf Report. |
In order to respond effectively to the rigorous demands and inherent dangers of open water lifeguarding, the Aquatics Division, Open Water Section, follows a strict standard of conduct that, in some cases, exceeds that of the Department as a whole. The Training Academy instills this behavior into each candidate so that they may successfully learn the basic skills and knowledge necessary to function as an Open Water Lifeguard. The behavior and performance of each candidate will be observed and evaluated under classroom, field, and emergency situations. All candidates can expect a high degree of physical and mental pressure to be applied and a high level of discipline to be maintained throughout the Academy in order to assure an effective learning process. 