WRIGHTSVILLE, N.C. -- It was a chilly morning out on Wrightsville Beach Sunday. But that didn’t keep more than 30 candidates from jumping into the water in hopes of becoming a lifeguard.

• Only 15 people make the cut
• Intense training prepares candidates for anything
• Second round of tryouts next weekend

The tryouts consist of a half mile swim, one mile run, and two mock rescues. Only 15 people will make the cut for the next rookie class.

Lifeguards say the intense training is crucial to make sure candidates are prepared for anything that comes their way this summer.

“This is kind of a real big challenge for people if they are not good swimmers. So it weeds out the weak swimmers very quickly. That way we can look at the best candidates out of this group to make our final selection,” said Jeremy Owens, Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue. 

Owens also says they’ll hold another round of tryouts next weekend.