Lionel Gougelot (in Péronne), edited by Juline Garnier 2:09 p.m., May 20, 2022

At the edge of French swimming pools, there would be a lack of between 2,000 and 7,000 lifeguards, enough to worry communities and managers of aquatic centers.

With the summer period approaching, some are organizing seduction operations to recruit a hundred candidates, as in Péronne in Hauts-de-France.

REPORT

In Péronne, a few brochures and recruitment sheets are spread out on the table.

A "job dating" is being prepared and faced with the lack of staff, the stakes are high.

The person in charge of the sports equipment of the community of communes awaits the candidates.

"We need two lifeguards", he announces, worried, at the microphone of Europe 1. With a net salary of 1,500 euros per month, the positions are to be filled as quickly as possible for the municipal swimming pool.

“Otherwise, we are forced to reduce in terms of activity, time amplitude, or even think in the long term, if it continues, of closing swimming pools. We could go that far”, specifies the manager.

Blame it on low wages?

This municipality is not the only one in concern.

Most municipalities are struggling to recruit these lifeguards, due to a lack of candidates.

"We have training spread over the territory. We have funding for training. But we have difficulty getting young people to enter training", explains Jean-François Druon, director of a specialized training center.

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And when they are there, graduates like Rayane, they are demanding.

“We find that our salaries are still a little low, so we will necessarily go to the structure where the salary will be the best. And after that, it is the working hours that have to be negotiated. ends we are going to work, what time we are going to finish”, he explains.

"These are the three criteria in any case, which I look for in a swimming pool before signing."

More attractive private establishments

For the young lifeguard, it makes sense that new lifeguards go to businesses, rather than communities.

"Because of course, we know that it is more attractive and much more flexible in terms of our conditions," he adds. 

These are often establishments where lifeguards can earn extra income by giving private lessons.