CHELSEA, Manhattan (WABC) -- New York City Parks Department officials are already thinking about sunny skies and 80-degree temperatures. Qualifying exams for hopeful lifeguards are well underway - and if they can make a big enough splash they can earn a $880 training bonus plus $22 an hour come this summer.

Before the next class of aspiring New York City lifeguards can take their post they have to take an eye exam and prove they have what it takes to save lives.

CLICK HERE to find out more about qualifying exams for NYC lifeguard hopefuls.

It was a tryout, but for Makai Podolskiy it is therapy.

"I need something to calm my mind and I wanted to put something out there to help people, so swimming was the best of both worlds for me," Podolskiy said.

Podolskiy looks up to someone who re

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