Beaches expect full summer lifeguard lineups despite hurdles
MATTHEW PRENSKY, Salisbury Daily Times
May 22, 2021
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OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) COVID-19 complicated lifeguarding in 2020. The worldwide pandemic not only forced lifeguards to reconsider how they patrol, but it also made recruiting a challenge for Delmarva’s beach patrols.
COVID-19 disrupted testing opportunities, and forced beach patrols like in Ocean City to adjust its academy, meaning new lifeguards couldn’t get onto the beach until later in the summer.
Heading into this year, beach resorts are hoping for a more normal summer, but so far, that hasn’t been the case for beach patrols, which have experienced many of the same problems as last year.
Andy Diamond, the president of the 12-location seafood chain Angry Crab Shack, said that he s willing to hire teenagers. He just doesn t think teens want the jobs he desperately needs to fill.
The restaurant chain is facing a shortfall of workers for back-of-house positions such as dishwasher and cook, according to Diamond. It s raised its hourly wage and is offering referral bonuses in the hopes of attracting serious applicants. Most teenagers, if they re applying, I don t think they want to work in a kitchen, Diamond said. If they re applying, they re looking for 15 to 20 hours a week, and that s more likely front of the house.