There’s no doubt that lifeguarding has been a go-to summer job for teens since pools became a thing. Every May, you’ll find tons of teenagers spending hours in Red Cross training, getting ready for the season. But beyond the whistles, shades and gallons of sunscreen, what’s really going on behind the scenes?
We all know that patrolling the pool and handling the occasional cranky parent isn’t exactly a walk in the park. But to really understand what lifeguarding’s all about, we someone who’s been there, like Simon Justin ’26.
“You know, it can be challenging sometimes, but there’s no way around [angry parents] so just don’t fret when you encounter one,” Justin said. “You just have to stay positive and everything will be okay.”
Even though there may be bumps in the road, that doesn’t stop teenagers from wanting to do it. Many do it for the physically active aspect of it, some for the people they meet along the way.
“Since you’re with the same people the entire summer,” Justin said. “You create friendships that last longer than the summer.”
These friendships not only create a positive work environment, but also make it an ideal starter job for many students entering the workforce for the first time. For many lifeguards, the downtime on the job is part of what makes it fun.
“A lot of the time we just goof around with each other and play cards,” Justin said. “Or we just absolutely blast music—with consideration, of course.”
With high schoolers from all grade levels working together, many end up forming friendships outside their usual social circles, which is a great way to broaden their horizons. Plus, for the most part, it’s a relatively easy job.
“There can be long shifts in 85-degree weather,” Justin said. “But overall, the job isn’t too hard for people just trying to make some money.”
However, the training process can be time-consuming and challenging for those who aren’t accustomed to the water environment. There’s online training that lasts around 8-12 hours, plus in-person water training after that, which spans across a couple of days.
“The training can be very exhausting at times, but it’s definitely a great way to bond with your fellow lifeguards,” Justin said.
In the end, despite the long shifts, the training and the occasional parent complaint, lifeguarding offers more than just a paycheck. It’s about learning responsibility, building lasting connections and gaining a sense of pride in ensuring the safety of others.
“You may come for the job, but you stay for the memories,” Justin said.
