Wichita Riverfest looking for water safety squad members

The warm weather associated with the annual Wichita Riverfest may seem far away, but organizers of the event are looking for volunteers to join their water safety squad.

Wichita Festivals Inc., the organization that plans Riverfest every year, said in a news release it is looking for 20 volunteers.

Terri Mott, director of marketing and communications for Wichita Festivals, said organizers are looking for community members with lifeguard experience, a knowledge of water safety or an interest in learning. She said organizers will provide comprehensive training for those accepted to the safety squad.

Volunteers will receive training in first aid and CPR as well as water rescue techniques. They will also learn to operate jet skis.

Mott said Riverfest has had groups volunteer together, like Scout troops and sororities and fraternities, and she encourages people to apply with their friends and participate together.

Anyone 15 or older can apply for the position, but those between 15 and 17 years old need a signed parental consent form, according to the release.

Applications are being accepted until 5 p.m. on Feb. 5. Hiring will begin after that, and once members are hired, water safety training will begin.

Riverfest will be June 3-11 and will feature concerts, events, food vendors and water activities. Water activities include jet ski races, raft races, a cardboard boat regatta and the starlight flotilla.

Mott said organizers have several new events planned this year that will be announced during Riverfest’s first media day on Jan. 29 at Emprise Bank in downtown Wichita.

Mott said organizers started planning this year’s event as soon as last year’s Riverfest ended. She said 410,000 people attended last year and that organizers hope to bring in a bigger crowd this year.

This story was originally published January 10, 2016 at 11:15 AM with the headline "Wichita Riverfest looking for water safety squad members."