The American Red Cross held a Celebration Event for it’s South and Central Texas providers at Legacy Stadium in Katy, Texas.  The City of Round Rock PARD Aquatics Division was honored with Recognition as a Trainer of more than 200 Lifeguards in the Year 2017, an award bestowed upon only 5% of American Red Cross Aquatic Training Providers nationwide.  In addition, the Division was recognized with awards for service as a Gold Level Learn-To-Swim Provider and as an Aquatics Examiner Service partner.

All three awards highlight the City’s programs that help maintain safety in and around water.  A national survey*, found that while 80 percent of Americans said they could swim, only 56 percent of these self-described swimmers could perform all five of the basic skills that might help to save their life in the water.  This sequence of critical water safety skills, also known as “water competency,” are the ability to: 1. Step or jump into the water over your head, 2. Return to the surface and float or tread water for one minute, 3. Turn around in a full circle and find an exit, 4. Swim 25 yards to the exit, and 5. Exit from the water without using a ladder.

As a American Red Cross Authorized Provider, the City of Round Rock is helping to make the water a safer place for everyone by offering Learn-To-Swim, Lifeguard Training and Special Interest Aquatics classes to the community.  Registration is now open for summer Swim Classes and Lifeguard Training classes at www.roundrockrecreation.com.  Lifeguard Training Classes are the pre-requisite to obtaining a Lifeguarding position at any of the City of Round Rock’s pool facilities which include: Rock’N River Water Park, Micki Krebsbach Pool, and Lake Creek Pool.  These training classes ready those ages 15 and older for the Lifeguard position by teaching the skills and confidence necessary to help others stay safe in, on, and around the water, while teaching the latest in safety and rescue techniques to deliver critical care in the event of an emergency.  To learn more about Lifeguard Jobs other summer aquatics job opportunities, visit  www.roundrocktexas.gov/lifeguards   Scholarships are available for all Aquatic programs for those who qualify.

*The national public opinion survey was conducted for the Red Cross April 17-20, 2014 using ORC International’s Online CARAVAN omnibus survey.