Staff Highlight: Loving the Lifeguard

It's a lively, happy scene at the Eastside Community Center pool. On a winter Saturday, dozens of teenagers are splashing around in the center section, while a few brave ones are trying out the trampoline. A girl is halfway up the rock-climbing wall, while the kids slide around the hot tub and the moms chat in the shallow end.

As the next lifeguard training session in April approaches, we interviewed two of our Metro Parks lifeguards. Aniya Shakoor, who is at the beginning of her career, and Anthony Adams, who has moved up to the head guard position.

NAIYA SHAKOR

Position: Lifeguard at Eastside and People's Community Centers

Started: June 2021

Other School/Work: Graduate in June from Running Start with a high school diploma and associate's degree from Tacoma Community College. Recipient of a Presidential Scholarship to study business at the University of St. Martin.

Why did you start being a lifeguard?

Since childhood I have had severe asthma and allergies that made it hard for me to do things, but swimming gave me an activity that I felt comfortable doing. I took swimming lessons at Metro Parks as a child and joined the school swim team. Now I alternate working as a lifeguard with teaching aqua gym and substituting swimming instructors.



What do you like about it?

The life jacket is a great way to balance my school and work schedules. I work between nine and twelve shifts a week and can choose my shifts to a certain extent. If I need time off, my supervisors are great about it. My coworkers are very welcoming and the supervisors gave me a lot of confidence during my training. There is no place I would rather work! I intend to continue working here while I get my business degree, maybe become a head guard when I'm old enough (19). I really like the job opportunities here.

Are there any challenges?

Not many. Sometimes you have to deal with rowdy teenagers and enforce pool rules. But if you have confidence and the ability to speak, you will be fine.

ANTONIO ADAMS

Position: Head of guard at the Town Community Center, sometimes at the East Community Center

Started: In 2019 with Metro Parks, but has been a certified lifeguard for 13 years

Other School/Work: I recently transitioned from a construction career to lifeguarding certification while attending school. He runs the water ski program at a summer camp in Maine.

Why did you start being a lifeguard?

This job is a great opportunity with a flexible schedule, especially now that I am transitioning back to school. The most you can work is an average of 29 hours per week during the year, but that works well with my summer position.

What do you like about it?

As head of the watch, I supervise the other lifeguards and organize their rotations. At the People's Community Center, I also rotate with the guards, since it's a smaller group than Eastside. I check the water quality and make sure the customers are having fun. I really like that I get to meet a lot of the community.

Everyone is here to improve: taking swimming or fitness classes, exercising or relaxing. People really want to be here. It's a great environment. And you can swim when you're off-duty or out of rotation, so you can get in the water and stay in shape, even at other community center pools. That's a really nice thing!

Are there any challenges?

There are not many disadvantages in this job. You have to stay focused - it's an important job where 99% of the time is spent looking and 1% could be saving someone's life. You have to stay calm under stress. But the pool patrons are respectful and listen to the rules. I think, especially since Covid-19 started, people just want to go out and have fun, and this gives them a place to do it.

Must Read: HOW MUCH DOES A LIFEGUARD CLASS?