The summer is coming to an end and with that ends my fourth summer as a lifeguard. As a kid growing up at the pool, I always looked up to the lifeguards. In my eyes they were the coolest people, as they hid behind their sunglasses and twirled their whistles. Naturally, I became a lifeguard as soon as I was old enough and got a job at the pool I grew up at, (shoutout Westwood Heights Swim Club.) After four years of guarding, my fellow guards and I have learned the ins and outs of the pool and what it really takes to run and take care of the pool. As it turned out, it's not all about twirling your whistle and getting tan. Although we tend to make jokes about the job, it is a fun and rewarding job, especially for us teenagers. It's true lifeguarding has some struggles and us lifeguards have some secrets we probably would never admit to the pools members.
1. Running Kid
No matter how many times you blow your whistle or yell walk, some kids will always run on the pool deck.
2. Dropping your Whistle
The amount of times I have dropped my whistle in the pool while on the stand, is more than I'd like to admit.
3. Secretly Hoping for Storms
Break out the rain dances when there is a 'chance' of showers or thunderstorms.
4. Closing the pool
Anyone who comes in anywhere near closing time or stay and swim right up until closing makes us cry a little bit inside.
5. Snack bar food
I could have a five-course lunch before going in for a shift and be starving by the time I get there and have to hit the junk food at the snack bar. Summer is the time you want your best body but it is almost like the pool is trying to fatten us up.
6. Smelling like the pool
I have accepted that fact that I will always smell like a weird combination of bromine, sweat, and sunscreen.
7. Sunscreen and Tan Lines
After a few days of guarding, we perfect the art of applying sunscreen, after burning once or twice. Going along with that, wearing our guard suits means we will never have normal tan lines.
8. Kids who...
You will also have those kids who float face down, the kids who like to fake drowning, and the kids who do crazy stunts off the diving board all of which cause you to hold your breath for a few seconds and or have a mini heart attack.
9. Staying Awake
If you ever see a lifeguard stand up while on the stand, you now know they were probably dozing off. Wouldn't you? Think about it. Sitting in the hot, relaxing sun, listening to some music. It's easier than you think.
10. Keeping the Pool Clean
Skimming, vacuuming, testing the chemicals, cleaning the bathrooms. You never know what crazy stuff you'll find.
