This season, Pottsville's JFK Pool is offering not only its signature pool parties, but also classes for swimmers interested in becoming lifeguards.
Greg Schuettler, Port Carbon, head lifeguard at the pool, is launching two new classes to teach people how to become lifeguards.
A lifeguard certification class for swimmers age 15 and up started Monday and will run for two weeks, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. weekdays. The cost per student is $150 and tests will include both physical life-saving skills and a written exam, Schuettler said.
There are 11 students, according to city Administrator Thomas A. Palamar.
"And we not only have people from Pottsville, but people coming in from Auburn and Orwigsburg," Palamar said.
"When they pass the course, they'll receive an American Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate," Schuettler said.
A junior lifeguard training class for swimmers ages 11 to 14 will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. July 9 to 13. The cost is $30.
"That is just for children who aren't old enough to become certified lifeguards, but are old enough to get into the mindset of becoming a lifeguard. But I'll teach them some basic rescue techniques and some basic first aid," Schuettler said.
JFK Pool also offers swimming classes for all ages. For more information, Palamar encouraged people to contact the JFK Recreation Complex at Railway Park at 570-622-4299.
Before Schuettler could start his courses, JFK Pool had to first be approved by the American Red Cross, Palamar said.
"They just needed to make sure the facility was appropriate for the lessons," Palamar said.
The city operates two public swimming pools at the JFK Recreation Complex at Railway Park - the JFK Pool, a 572,000-gallon pool installed in 1965, and the 3,500-gallon kiddie pool installed in 2000. The lessons will be given in the larger pool.
Schuettler, 23, graduated from Kutztown University with a bachelor of science degree in secondary education in 2011. He has been working as a substitute teacher at the Pottsville Area School District.
He's an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor able to teach classes and give students who pass the class Red Cross lifeguard certifications. This is his seventh year working as a lifeguard at JFK Pool.
He has a twin brother, Ben, who has tough lifeguard certification classes in Minersville.
There are classes like these held at area school districts including Blue Mountain, Minersville Area, Pottsville Area and Schuylkill Haven Area, Schuettler said Thursday.
"There's usually multiple courses offered in the spring and summer," Schuettler said.