Water Safety Continuum
City of San Diego
Creating Community Award of Excellence
Ensuring access to swimming lesson programs is essential to keeping our communities safe. Swimming is also one of the healthiest forms of exercise that exists, and one of the only forms of exercise that seniors and people with disabilities can participate in. The City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department is one of the only agencies to have cracked the code in solving the lifeguard shortage, through its Water Safety Continuum. Approximately 100 pool lifeguards were hired in 2023! Partnering with schools and nonprofits to implement diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives has provided thousands of individuals with an opportunity to learn fundamental water safety skills, participate in ongoing, fun aquatic activities at the pool and beach, prepare for a future career in Aquatics, and contribute to a thriving aquatics culture. 