As part of our mission to enhance the overall water safety of our coastal community, we are proud to announce the launch of our 2024 STAR AquaCenter Lifeguard Scholarship. Five scholarships will be awarded to Town residents aged 15 and above, who are interested in becoming certified lifeguards through the Town of Southampton this spring. The scholarship will cover the costs associated with certification through the Town’s Lifeguard Training Program, Surf and Non Surf Courses, including the required Lifeguard CPR Training Course.
“We are excited to introduce this initiative as part of our ongoing commitment to promoting water safety”, said Joy Flynn, Board Chair of STAR AquaCenter, “While we look forward to being able to offer water safety education and lifeguard training at the STAR AquaCenter once built, there is an urgent need for more certified lifeguards in our coastal community, and our goal is to remove some of the barriers to certification.”
“With each lifeguard trained, STAR AquaCenter will ensure additional safety of our beach and pool going community members. Many thanks to Joy Flynn and her fellow board members for their water safety initiatives and for providing this assistance to the Town’s aspiring lifeguards,” said Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore.
“I would like to thank the STAR AquaCenter Board of Directors and the Old Town Lodge in Southampton for their generosity and their commitment to provide safe water access to our residents and visitors,” said Southampton Town Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara.
Applications for the Lifeguard Scholarship will be accepted until midnight on Friday, April 12. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit bit.ly/STAR-Lifeguard for more information and to apply.
The Town will run spring Lifeguard Certification courses beginning at the end of April. “These scholarships will provide a wonderful opportunity for members of our community to pursue lifeguarding, which is not only critical to keeping our waters safe but also a personally enriching job where the skills learned and friendships made last a lifetime,” said Kristen Doulos, Town Parks Director. For more information about the Town’s lifeguarding certification courses, please visit www.southamptontownny.gov/lifeguard-training
Recipients of the 2024 STAR AquaCenter Lifeguard Scholarship will be invited as honored guests to STAR AquaCenter’s Lifeguard Storytelling Event on Wednesday, July 10th at Southampton Arts Center. The event will be a celebration of the local lifeguard community on the East End, and will include a screening of the film WATERPROOF – Lifeguards for life. Tickets to the event will be available for purchase through Southampton Arts Center.