Experiences Of Lifeguarding

10 Things Every Lifeguard can Relate To if they work at a Lake

Saving lives isn't everything we do.


Being a lifeguard is one of the best jobs that anyone can have, considering you get to spend your entire day outside. The summer holds the best weather, and you're able to enjoy it each and every day while also getting your tan on. Watching over the lives of people young and old has its many perks, but it can also have its cons.

Overall, becoming a lifeguard was one of the best decisions I ever made. After lifeguarding for about five years, I've noticed you start to fall into a pattern and find that some things will never change.

1. Having to constantly yell at the same kids who already know the rules.

Sometimes it seems like kids break the rules just for fun. Believe me, I've definitely done it when I was little, but it's annoying when you're on the other end of it.

2. You pray to God for a rainstorm or thunder.

What's better than sitting inside during a rainstorm and getting paid to do so? Maybe dancing in the rain?

3. Turtles, snakes, and other wildlife are always interrupting a normal shift.

It seems like all hell breaks loose when animal pops up out of the water when people are swimming. If you don't bother the wildlife, they won't bother you!

4. Having mini heart attacks every time a kid does a flip off the diving board.

Sometimes the kids get so damn close to hitting their heads. My heart never seems to go back to beating normally until they safely enter the water.

5. Bonding with your fellow guards over the course of the summer.

Having your annual "end of the summer" dinner makes you way more emotional than you thought. Your co-workers are more like your family, and it's so much fun bonding over the crazy moments you all experience together.

6. Wanting to yell at the one family that comes down to swim in the crappiest weather possible.

You are the only thing standing between me and going home. PLEASE come back when the weather is actually nice.

7. Becoming BFFs with the kids is so much fun.

After a full year of not seeing your favorite kids, it's nice to catch up with them and ask how their school year was. They're too adorable and what make the job so great. It's pretty cool to be able to see them grow over the years, too.

8. Blowing all of your money on the food at the snack stand.

Eating hot pockets for lunch every day is what gets me through my shift. Any possible moment of boredom somehow ends up with you handing over your money for food. By the end of the summer, you'll be paying in coins.

9. Losing multiple whistles over the span of the summer.

Every lifeguard knows it's just normal to swing your whistle around your finger while on stand. We've all had those moments where it flies off your hand and into the water. In a pool, you'll most likely be able to see it and fish it out, but in a lake, it's a goner within seconds.

10. Realizing how sad you are that the summer has come to an end.

Being a lifeguard in a small lake community is something so special. Everyone's love for the lake is what makes me happy to go to work every day. Once summer is over, it's sad to think that you won't be back at the lake for almost 10 months.

Guarding lives can be a very tough and serious job, but it really is something that has made me into who I am today. I wouldn't change any of my memories or experiences for the world.

Cover Image Credit:

Photo by Autumn Mott on Unsplash

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20 Things You Know And Experience When You Vacation in Wildwood, NJ

Everyone has a shore point that they know and love, they probably all have different features that make them unique too.


Everyone has their go-to vacation place, and for the majority of North East Philadelphia, and many other people, that place is Wildwood, New Jersey.

Wildwood is home to its own local residents, but their population immensely grows after Memorial Day Weekend, which kicks off the season. Wildwood has many different features that people who stay here know and come to love or hate, and here are some of those features that most Wildwood vacationers should recognize.

1. The ongoing pizza debate between Sam’s versus Mack’s.

Madyson Thompson

Of course, there are more than just these two pizza spots in Wildwood, but these two are the constant talk of those who vacation here, and are clearly the superior spots, which one is the best? This is still an argument among many.

2. The seemingly never ending sound of “watch the tram car please!”

Amy Ford

Whenever you're on the boardwalk, or even in a short distance from it you, hear the annoying tape over and over again.

3. Having to constantly hide your food on the boards or the beach from the annoying seagulls.

Cait Garlick

How annoying is it that you can never just walk down the boards with food because of the seagulls that are vultures when it comes to stealing food. So, instead of being able to walk around freely, you need to stop and sit at the tables with umbrellas to keep your food hidden and safe.

4. Relaxing on the beach can quickly be interrupted by the calling of “Fudgy Wudgy”, sometimes you want to go meet the man, but other times you think, really he’s here? AGAIN?!

Amy Ford

I mean sometimes a nice cold ice cream cone is perfect for the beach, but then other times, hearing the guy calling for ice cream 10 times throughout your beach day can be a bit much.

5. Curley’s fries are the BEST fries in Wildwood. (I said what I said, and you’re not going to change my mind)

Jessica Jones-Thompson

You can try to argue this, but there really isn't an argument. Sure Chickie and Petes recently joined the island, but you can get them year-round, and they're not the perfect pair with a slice of Sam's like Curley's is.

6. Polish water ice screams your name upon arrival, and it is extremely satisfying after settling for Rita’s in the off-season.

Mariah Sullivan

It is a great change up of water ice that you can't have in the off-season, so in season is super rewarding when you get that first refreshing cup.

7. The island is always busy. There is never not something going on, so you’re rarely ever bored.

Jessica Jones-Thompson

Wildwood always offers something to do, whether it be the multiple different beach blasts for different sports, different fitness obstacles, or even polar plunge in the off season, there is always something going on.

8. The food festivals are something to look forward to every year (especially BBQ weekend).


While Wildwood has many options for food, the festivals give those extra options, and they are amazing.

9. Wawa’s Hoagiefest is a life saver to your bank account if you spend the entire summer there.


Sure you want different hoagies and sandwiches, but that's why Wawa is great, their hoagiefest isn't just hoagies! It's all of their classic sized sandwiches, which is a ton of options for a great price.

10. Walking is different here. 20 blocks on the boardwalk, does not feel like you actually just walked 20 blocks.

Amy Ford

For some reason walking is much easier here, and doesn't seem as far as it does when you walk anywhere else.

11. There are so many different food options to choose from.

Madyson Thompson

Of course Philadelphia has many different food options too, but Wildwood has its own unique food venues that are all amazing in every way! Some of these places, like the Wharf, have great food and entertainment as well!

12. Everything is better here, because you’re down the shore.

Jessica Jones-Thompson

There isn't much else to say here, the shore makes everyone happier and just creates a much better environment for everything.

13. Keenan’s is the best bar, offering different specials and events for all ages! (This one might be slightly biased, but I am sure a ton of other people agree with me)

Dominic Carey

There are so many bars on the island, but the best one, in my opinion, is Keenan's. They have different events constantly, and they often even have fun for the whole family!

14. You can park your car, and leave it parked for the majority of your stay.

Valerie Werner

Most things are walking distance and so cars aren't really a necessity for you once you're already on the island. You can just walk around and enjoy the views. (like the sea wall)

15. There are still activities on the piers that you will never get to old for. Like the Log Floom, the Nor'Easter, the Ferris Wheel, or really anything in the water park.

Jessica Jones-Thompson

These activities will always be fun! No matter what age you are, you still need a few moments of thrill, and these things provide just that!

16. This is one of the only places people actually follow the speed limit.


There's obviously speed limits everywhere, but everyone who vacations in wildwood knows the speed limit here is nothing to mess with because the cops here will give you a ticket immediately, with no leeway.

17. You do NOT have to pay to sit on the beach.

Madyson Thompson

Some beaches charge for entrance to the beach, but not Wildwood! This is one of the many great features that Wildwood has to offer.

18. You look forward to seeing the “Entering North Wildwood” sign.

Cait Garlick

This is a staple to your trip to Wildwood, there's two entrance points, but this one with the North Wildwood sign is definitely the favorite of many as they race to get the perfectly timed photograph of the sign.

19. At night, if you can, avoid Sam’s pizza. If not, you’re walking into crowds of teenagers who are “too cool” for rides, and this is the cool place to be.

Madyson Thompson

This crowd is unavoidable as this is literally the place to be when your young and don't have any other plans for the night, you sit and stand around the front of Sam's pizza in different groups talking with friends.

20. And for those of you from the North East, you know that this is your home away from home, where you get all of the perks of being down the shore, with all of the home perks of still seeing your neighbors and friends.

Jessica Jones-Thompson

This is literally a second home, everyone knows someone, and you run into home friends constantly.

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6 Ways To Start Pre-Gaming Your Summer Plans Today

A few ways to help you prepare for summer.


Summer is coming sooner rather than later and we all need to get ready for it.

1. Start making trip plans now.


If you are wanting to do a getaway over the summer, I would suggest starting to plan for the trip now. The closer you get to the time in which you want to go, the higher the prices of plane tickets and rooms go up. Also planning ahead gives you the chance to pinpoint exactly how you want to spend your trip and not waste your time. Nothing is worse than going on a trip and being stuck at the hotel the whole time because you have no idea what is our there for you to do.

2. Buy sunscreen.

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Do you really want to end up like her? I don't think so. Even if you are the type of person with the mentality that you will only be out in the sun for a short period of time, it doesn't matter. We all need sunscreen. Our skin is the largest organ of our body and we need to take care of it. Think of it this way, do you want to have sunspots when you're old? Or would you rather maintain your youthful appearance for as long as you can?

3. Find a new hobby.


Let's be honest here for a minute, the majority of us do absolutely nothing over summer break and feel no guilt for it. I have done this several times over the years, and I now look back and realize all the time I wasted not learning or doing something new. If you are working full-time, have summer school, or a summer internship this does not apply to you unless you have the time to do so.

For the rest of y'all, get up and learn something. Learn how to knit. Take a kickboxing class. Try out new hiking places. Start learning another language, or continue practicing the one you learned in school at places where the language is commonly used. Get outside of your comfort zone!

4. De-stress and dispose.

You are so close to summer sometimes it stresses you out trying to get everything done. You need to realize that summer isn't going anywhere and you will get there eventually. Take a deep breathe and keep going. What I like to do is start throwing out the paperwork from this semester that I know I will never use again, don't want, and papers that I don't plan on using for the upcoming final. Disposing of those papers helps me visualize that the semester is almost over.

5. Buy a new swimsuit.


Before you go out and buy a bunch of new swimsuits, try your old ones on first and see if they fit. Sometimes you just need a new top to match the bottoms that you already have or vice versa. Also, if you know that you are not going to buy a swimsuit for the pool or beach several times throughout the summer, don't waste your money on a new swimsuit. The one from last year that you never wore will do just fine.

Save Money

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The simplest way to understand it is no saving = no money to spend during summer. If you have all kinds of different trips and things you want to do that cost a fee, it would be wise to start saving up for all of your other expenses that you would normally have to pay per month like insurance, phone, or a car payment. I will be in the car payment category since I just bought a new one a few weeks ago.

That being said, my first car payment is due the week I am in New York. I don't want my New York money to be used for a car payment, so I've been taking extra shifts at work to compensate. I have also started going through my closet and selling the items I don't want anymore. There are several resale stores and places online for you to sell your unwanted clothes and other items to put some extra cash in your pocket.

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