The Surprise Parks and Recreation Department is looking for responsible people with a positive attitude to join its aquatics team.

City officials are hoping to reopen the city’s two pools for public swimming this summer after they were closed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Lifeguard training classes will be offered throughout February and March — Wednesday, Feb. 10; Tuesday, Feb. 23; Thursday, Feb. 25; Friday, March 5; Friday, March 12 and two during spring break on Monday, March 15 and Wednesday, March 17

Participants must be at least 16 years old to enroll. Training classes consist of eight hours of preclass online coursework to be completed prior to the first day of in-person class, as well as an active pretest including swimming, diving, retrieving and treading of water.

The course fee is $100 for residents and $120 for non-residents.

All classes will be held at the Surprise Aquatic Center, 15831 N Bullard Ave.

Participants will be certified by the Starfish Aquatics Institute after successful completion; however, course completion does not guarantee employment with the city.

Surprise Parks and Recreation has developed and implemented COVID-19 procedures in compliance with the CDC guidelines for the health and safety of its staff and participants. 

With daily reassessments in relation to the COVID-19 situation; rules, procedures and general guidance are subject to change. 

For information about the certification courses or how to apply for a lifeguard or swim instructor position, contact Aquatics Coordinator Annie Stephens at 623-222-2268, or visit surpriseaz.gov/aquatics.