Waterparks, Can You Handle It?

While high speed slides, lazy rivers, waterfalls, and kiddie splash pads present big fun for guests, they present an entirely different set of challenges for lifeguards. In fact, there’s a whole separate waterpark certification that’s required. Taking this separate course will provide you with the skills to master moving water as well as areas with extremely shallow water. If you’re game, check out these top names:

Water World, Colorado
What began with two slides in 1979 has grown into 46 attractions and a proud ranking as one of America’s Best Waterparks by Travel Channel. They offer national lifeguard certification classes on site, great benefits, and a fun work environment.

Schlitterbahn Waterparks
With one location in Kansas City, three in Texas, and the promise of competitive pay, lifeguards line up to work at these waterparks. You must be at least 15 or 16 (depending on the location) and you must complete their swim test and lifeguard course. It’s seasonal employment with lots of perks, including flexible schedules.

Blizzard Beach, Walt Disney World
This Alpine-themed waterpark is definitely the coolest park we know of. And since Walt Disney World also owns this one, you can hit their four famous theme parks for free on your days off, but you have to complete their rigorous training first.

FunTown SplashTown USA, Maine

16 is once again the magic number for minimum age to work at FunTown. You’ll also need lifeguard certification to work at their 18 busy water slides and pools.

Noah’s Ark Waterpark, Wisconsin Dells
This is America’s largest waterpark and it will definitely keep a lifeguard on his or her toes. With 49 water rides, two wave pools, two rivers, and four children’s water play areas, there won’t be time to even look at your watch. Deep and shallow water training needed, and you must be at least

Raging Waters, San Jose, California

You’ll have no time for California dreaming with 23 acres of waterpark frenzy and high-speed slides. Lifeguards must be at least 16 and have successfully completed a lifeguard-training program (they will even provide it onsite for a nominal fee).

Typhoon Lagoon, Waltz Disney World
Body surfing and some of the world’s largest created-waves (from a wave pool that’s twice the size of a football field!), make this a challenging job. All Disney lifeguards are required to complete a thorough training program that exceeds most national standards.

Waterparks of America, Radisson Hotel Bloomington, MN
Surf simulators, wave pools, a mile in the entire U.S. Between 18 and 21 guards are on duty at one time, depending on guest attendance, and their lifeguards are required to maintain current American Red Cross, First Aid, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer certifications.

Wet ‘n Wild, Florida and North Carolina
With 34 rides and attractions, the largest waterpark in the Carolinas is a family favorite. To become a “special facilities guard,” you must be at least 16 and have successfully completed a lifeguard-training program. In Orlando, you must meet the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training requirements for shallow water lifeguard certification.

Wilderness at the Smokies, Tennessee
Every lifeguard that works here is Ellis Trained and Certified (Jeff Ellis & Associates has a reputation of having some of the most rigorous physical and academic testing in the world). What else would you expect from the southeast’s largest indoor/outdoor waterpark resort?