Kure Beach hiring more than 30 lifeguards for beach season

KURE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — With beach season almost here, Kure Beach is looking to hire more than 30 new lifeguards.

The town held the first session of tryouts Saturday morning. Another tryout session will be held Saturday May 9th starting at 10 a.m. at the Lifeguard Shack at the south end of the Kure Beach Pier.

Kure Beach Assistant Head Lifeguard John Kennedy says it’s important to have lifeguards on the beach during the summer because people come for all over the world to visit and many don’t understand how rough and potentially dangerous the ocean can be.

Kennedy says, “Some people will get in the water on day that we are having really bad rip currents and if someone who gets caught in one but doesn’t know how to get out, it’s great for us to be on the beach and we can be their first responders.”

After working as a lifeguard in Kure Beach for the last 4 years Kennedy says he has been able to save a lot of lives, but his first one he remembers like yesterday.

“My adrenaline was pumping. I just got out in the water and helped the little kid in. It was good for me and he understood what I was saying so there was nothing really to it. It felt really good helping other people, making sure they are okay and keeping them safe,” said Kennedy.

The tryout consists of a 1.25-mile run followed immediately without a break by a half-mile swim. After the physical test, everyone will meet back at the Fire Department for random interviews.

Applicants must by at least 16 years old. They do not have to be CPR or lifeguard certified. Selected applicants will get training and physical conditioning from May 11 until May 22. If they make it through that, they will start as a lifeguard Memorial Day weekend.

Applications are available at the Kure Beach Fire Department.