CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. -- The Carolina Beach Fire Department is putting lifeguard candidates to the test.

  • Sixty applicants participate in a two-part tryout process.
  • Sunday morning the applicants swam 500-meters to a buoy in red flag conditions and ran a mile when they returned to shore in under 20 minutes.
  • The fire department will staff the beach with lifeguards by Memorial Day.

Sixty applicants participate in a two-part tryout process.

Sunday morning the applicants swam 500-meters to a buoy in red flag conditions and ran a mile when they returned to shore in under 20 minutes -- similar to what a real-life water rescue requires.

“A lot of people will apply who are deficient in swimming and running. And we really need to make sure that they’re at least at some base level of competent swimming and running," said Cody Benton, a five-year veteran of the Carolina Beach lifeguard team.

The fire department will staff the beach with lifeguards by Memorial Day.