Casey Manzella
Features Editor
During the summer, junior Grace Stryker didn’t have to sacrifice relaxation or tanning to make money, working as a lifeguard at the Country Club of Darien. “The best part of being a lifeguard is that you really get to enjoy your summer outside instead of being stuck inside somewhere,” she said.
Even on the bad-weather days, lifeguards still get to enjoy their work time. “I enjoy the rainy days when I get paid to sit inside with the other lifeguards and do nothing,” Junior Mike Schulte, a New Canaan Field Club lifeguard, said.
Although there are cited benefits to lifeguarding, there is also a long process leading up to officially being certified. “I completed a two month long certification course to get my lifeguarding license from the Red Cross,” Senior Lindsay Shanley, a Milbrook Country Club lifeguard, said. “Now I’m certified in CPR/AED, first aid and infectious disease.”
The certification process puts demands on the trainee both mentally and physically. “It takes many hours to get certified because you have to pass a final written test and show the instructor what you have learned in the pool,” Grace said. “You have to be able to get a brick from the bottom of the pool and swim 20 laps along with many other things.”
Although the certification course was time consuming, Junior Siri Thorbeck had a motivation to complete it. “I’d grown up spending the whole summer around the pool and have been doing swim team forever,” she said. “It just seemed like the perfect job for me.”
After being certified the job application process is the next task for lifeguards. “I got my job by applying at multiple country clubs in the area that were on a list I received at the end of my certification course,” Siri said. “When I went to pick up my application at the Country Club of Darien I was lucky enough to run into the manager and he helped me figure out right away when I could start.”
Erin, who lifeguards privately instead of at a club, has a different process for finding jobs. “Since I don’t have a consistent job I’m always looking for work opportunities,” she said. “Emailing people and having connections is definitely helpful.”
Whether working at private parties or at a club, lifeguarding comes with many responsibilities. “I have to watch the pool and make sure everything is clean and safe,” Grace said. “I have to constantly check the chlorine and PH levels in both the big pool and the baby pool. Also, when kids get hurt or need anything they always come to me.”
Siri recognized some other responsibilities of a lifeguard. “Mostly my job is about prevention,” she said. “It is very rare that a lifeguard has to save someone because we focus on keeping people out of situations where they would need to be saved.”
Mike described his typical work day. “I work 2 to 3 times a week for about 8 hours,” he said. “On a typical day I get to work, figure out the length of each shift, sit my shift, talk to other lifeguards, eat my lunch and then repeat it all again.”
Despite the work, being a lifeguard is something the students want to continue in the future. “I will definitely lifeguard next summer,” Grace said. “I made a lot of friends this past summer who are going off to college and now I can’t wait to see them next summer.”
Siri agreed. “I certainly want to lifeguard next summer,” she said. “Lifeguarding is the perfect summer job!”
