NJ Beaches, Pools Closing Due To Lifeguard Shortage

NEW JERSEY — A lifeguard shortage is again affecting public pools and beaches across the country, including in New Jersey, where some swimming holes have had to turn people away because there aren't enough guards on staff.

The lifeguard shortage that kept about a third of America’s 309,000 public swimming pools dry, or open sporadically, could be “as bad as last year, or worse or this year,” according to the American Lifeguard Association’s B.J. Fisher.

The struggle to find lifeguards has been occurring for several years at both Jersey Shore beaches and public pools, and is persisting this summer. In New Jersey, public pools smaller than 2,000 square feet can operate with a single lifeguard, even though the best chances of a drowning resuscitation are when two people work as a team.

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In Beachwood Borough, no swimmers will be able to go into the river after only one person applied to be a lifeguard according to officials. The small beach there sits on the Toms River, which feeds into the Barnegat Bay.

"For the safety of all, the Borough requires that no one goes swimming this year," officials said. "For those who like to sit on the beach and enjoy the view, you may continue to do so. "

And in Warrenbrook, the pool has yet to open for the summer season because of the shortage. The Somerset County Park Commission is "urgently" seeking applicants to fill the position, and has increased pay to $20 per hour for lifeguard employees, with free training and certification free upon hiring.

Cranford, in Union County, has been trying to hire the required 80 lifeguards it needs to operate the pools in the township. The two outdoor pools open at noon instead of 10 a.m. during the weekdays, according to a revised schedule posted on the township website.

The New Jersey State Park Service also opened applications for 15-year-olds to be junior lifeguards this year, to help keep nine swimming areas around the state safe. The junior position begins at $16 per hour, with senior lifeguards paid $17.50 to $18.50 per hour.

Most of the state parks and forests where you can go swimming in New Jersey do not have open hours on Mondays and Tuesdays, per the state park system. You can see all swim schedules for New Jersey state parks, forests, and recreation areas here.

Atsion Recreation Area, High Point State Park, Hopatcong State Park, Parvin State Park, Round Valley Recreation Area, Swartswood State Park, and Wawayanda State Park are open Wednesday-Sunday, except for the week of Independence Day, when these beaches are closed for swimming July 5 and 6.

Island Beach State Park, Cheesequake State Park, and Belleplain State Forest are open seven days a week. Swimming is closed for the 2023 season at Bass River State Forest and Spruce Run Recreation Area.

B.J Fisher of the American Lifeguard Association said that the pandemic exacerbated the shortage — in part, because existing lifeguards did not have as many opportunities to re-certify.

Typically, about 300,000 new candidates are trained every year through various programs, including those offered by Fisher’s organization, the American Red Cross, YMCAs and other certified instruction programs.

Most lifeguards are high school and college students who pick up extra cash — historically, not a lot — during the summer, then move on to whatever they planned to do in real life.

Most renew their certification once or twice, and “are with us for about five years once they’re certified,” Fisher said, adding that when pandemic restrictions were lifted after a couple of years, “we had to start with a clean slate.”

Public pools aren’t just a nice amenity, Fisher said.

“They’re huge assets with inflation. People can’t go on vacation, and these pools are places you can meet friends and neighbors and have nice, clean fun in a secure area,” he said.

But without enough lifeguards to keep pools open, Fisher worries that kids who live in areas where backyard pools are uncommon and country club memberships are out of reach will find more dangerous, unmonitored places to get relief from the summer heat.

“We need to understand the true benefits of getting these pools open,” he said.

Patch's Beth Dalbey contributed to this report.