Across Canada, a shortage of lifeguards raises concern about the next generation of swimmers

Three times a year through the pandemic, Catherine Lechman dutifully logged onto her computer in an attempt to register her four-year-old son for swimming lessons. 

She tried at her home pool in the Montreal borough of Pierrefonds, at two nearby municipalities and through a private service. In each instance, the spots filled up instantly. 

"Since the pandemic hit, no matter where I tried, whether I wanted to drive somewhere or pay a small amount of money or a larger amount, there was just no availability to get lessons," Lechman said. 

"Now he's going to be five, and he barely knows how to float in the water."

Finally, Lechman was able to get her son enrolled in a lesson for the summer session, which began earlier this month. 

Even then, there were only four spots available in his age group because of a lack of lifeguards on staff. 

The shortage of lifeguards and instructors extends across the country, forcing many municipalities to scale back pool hours and limit the number of lessons available despite pent up demand.

WATCH | A lifeguard shortage creates problems at some pools:

In Toronto and Ottawa, city officials had to cancel swimming lessons this summer because of staffing shortages. The waiting list in Prince George, B.C., topped 700 this spring and other municipalities were also struggling to meet the demand.

In Prince Edward Island, the province announced some beaches would be without supervision. 

Advocates worry the shortage could have lasting consequences for a generation of children struggling to access swimming lessons. 

"It's definitely a short-term problem this year, and it's going to be a medium-term problem and a longer-term problem because even if we can sort of get through the summer, there are still not enough younger pre-lifeguards in the pathway to become lifeguards," said Barbara Byers, public education director at the Lifesaving Society of Canada. 

While it's difficult to put an exact number on it, the labour shortage seen across many industries is particularly acute among lifeguards, Byers said. 

Many of those with experience have moved on to other fields, and the training required means it's difficult to quickly hire new workers, she said.