Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto announced that the town is currently seeking individuals interested in working as a pool or beach lifeguard for the 2007 summer season.

"Town of Oyster Bay lifeguards not only carry with them a sense of pride, but they have the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful setting during the summer at one of the town's pristine beaches or pools," Venditto said. "Being a lifeguard is no easy task, however, and individuals must pass a pre-test to qualify and then attend classes as part of their training."

The supervisor noted that any interested persons wishing to be a lifeguard for the upcoming season must attend a pre-test on Monday, Feb. 26, 5:30 p.m., at the Bethpage High School indoor pool. This pre-test must be attended in order to be eligible for the class. All who attend the pre-test should bring their bathing suit, a towel, a pad and a pen.

For the pre-test, individuals must be able to:

Swim 300 yards continuously, using these strokes in the following order: 100 yards of front crawl using rhythmic breathing and a stabilizing kick; 100 yards of breaststroke; and 100 yards of either front crawl using rhythmic breathing or breaststroke, or a combination of both.

Swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive to a depth of 10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, and swim 20 yards back to the starting point of the object. When returning to the starting point, the candidate must hold the 10-pound object with both hands keeping his/her face above water. (This portion will be timed.)

"Following the pre-test, those interested in becoming a lifeguard must pass a 40-hour American Red Cross Lifeguard training course, after which they will be certified in CPR and first aid for the professional rescuer, lifeguarding techniques and automated external defibrillation," Venditto stated. "As part of the town's ambitious recruitment drive for lifeguards, the town will be offering this Red Cross training course. To enroll in the lifeguard training course, aspiring lifeguards must be 16 years of age on or before April 15 (born on or before April 15, 1991). A copy of the enrollee's birth certificate is required."

The supervisor stated that classes will be held Monday, Feb. 26, through Friday, March 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, March 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All sessions must be attended and no make-up dates will be available.

Two checks are required for the course, totaling $278.90. One check should be made out to the "American Red Cross" in the amount of $78.90, to cover textbooks, a resuscitation mask for CPR and the American Red Cross processing fee. The second check should be made payable to "Town of Oyster Bay - Special Events" in the amount of $200.

"Upon receipt of the checks and completed application, you will be given an authorization form to bring with you to the pre-test," Venditto said. "Make sure to bring this authorization form with you to the test - you will not be allowed to take the pre-test without this form."

All lifeguard positions are at the sole discretion of the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Parks. No refunds will be given to anyone who refuses an assigned position at a pool.

"As a bonus to any participants who pass all class requirements and remain employed with the Town of Oyster Bay as a lifeguard up to and including Labor Day, Sept. 3, the town will reimburse them the $200 fee they paid at the start of the course," Venditto said.

Applications for the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course have been distributed to all high schools. They can also be picked up at the Town of Oyster Bay Parks Department, Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa.

Venditto noted that availability of the training courses is on a first-come, first-served basis and encourages those interested to sign up as soon as possible. Anyone who is already certified and is interested in a job as a Town of Oyster Bay lifeguard should contact William Zang, lifeguard coordinator, at 797-4179.

"Having a summer job as a lifeguard is a rewarding and exciting opportunity," Venditto said. "In addition to earning money, our lifeguards enjoy an active job working outdoors at one of the town's beautiful parks or beaches while providing a valuable service to the community. Serving as a lifeguard also helps build confidence, self-esteem, and friendships. It's a great way to spend a summer."