Sinking economy lifts turnout at lifeguard tryouts

Out of the water, there's been a surge in interest in valet parking jobs, often the domain of college students. Applications at Quality Parking Service in Encino have risen fourfold in the last few months even as the company has scaled back advertising, said Ben Akbary, chief executive. "I've never seen the market this good," he said. "We have a flood of applicants every day."

Restaurants across the state, too, are inundated with professional or even retired job seekers, according to an industry group spokesman.

On Sunday, lifeguards in wetsuits and neon yellow shirts cruised the surf on wave runners to rescue stragglers. A record 156 applicants -- more than twice last year's number -- signed up to compete for 25 summer lifeguard slots, said Lt. Mike Beuerlein, with the city's Marine Safety Division. Eighty-seven people finished all three events.

Among those panting and shivering on the beach as onlookers watched from the pier above were a former Air Force underwater search specialist, a struggling photographer, an out-of-work mechanic, surfers, All-American swimmers and a retired Olympic water polo player, all several years older than the legions of high school and college swim team members.

"They might have youth, but I have experience," said Ericka Lorenz, 28, who played water polo for eight years, medaled in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, and is in search of her next line of work.

For Bentley, the day was mostly a success: The former breaststroke record-holder swam faster than he expected, although the running wasn't his strong suit, and ended up third on the alternate list.

"I'm just really, really thirsty for an adult beverage right now," he said, out of breath.

He should find out in the coming weeks if there are enough dropouts to give him a spot; in the meantime, he'll keep on scanning job sites every day.

And Bentley hedged his bets: He also applied for a position as a Huntington Beach parking attendant.

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susannah.rosenblatt@latimes.com