Lifeguarding, to most, is a fun summer job where you get to lie out next to a pool and tan, but in reality, the duties of a lifeguard go way beyond that.

Keizel Rivera (10), a new lifeguard, says he’s most nervous about having to save someone. “I try to remember all the training so I can be ready at all times,” Rivera said.

New lifeguard Vera Loecke (9) says her worst-case scenario is missing the signs of someone drowning. “Then something bad happens and it’s all my fault,” Loecke said.

Lifeguard and lessons teacher Grace Sleper (11) spends many hours at the pool.

In the morning, she teaches either a group or a private lesson for an hour. Normally, she guards during open swim from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. After open swim, she teaches lessons from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and then guards night swim from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m..

“I’m literally there all day, every day,” Sleper said.

Maya Pennington (11) says her favorite thing about lifeguarding is the bonding experience with others. “I like that I get to interact with kids,” Pennington said.

Pennington says the benefits of getting a water safety instructor license are that you get priority on scheduling and guaranteed hours each week.

Lifeguard instructor, assistant manager, and learn-to-swim director Abigail Goldsmith says she likes her job because it gives her something to do in the summer. 

“I like helping people, keeping people safe, and teaching them how to swim because it’s a really important life skill to have,” Goldsmith said.

Alaina Bardgett (11) is a third-year lifeguard. “Lifeguarding is more than just lying in the sun and getting tan,” Bardgett said. “You have to be paying attention and monitoring the pool at all times in case of an emergency.”