More Than a Summer Job: How Lifeguards Help Keep Our Community Safe

While many people picture lifeguards watching from a chair, the role involves much more than monitoring the pool. What often goes unseen is the training, responsibility and dedication required to protect swimmers and respond in an instant when needed. At just 18 years old, Julian Aviles has embraced that challenge, taking pride in helping create a safe environment for children and families every day.

Julian's YMCA journey began when he was 15 years old as a slide attendant. Having recently moved to Florida from Philadelphia, he was still adjusting to a new community and looking for a place where he belonged. "I started as a slide attendant when I was 15, turning 16," Julian said. "The YMCA was a really welcoming place. Everybody was connected, nice and accepting. It made me want to grow here."

That sense of belonging eventually led him to become a lifeguard. Water has always been a part of Julian's life. He learned to swim from his father and spent much of his childhood in the pool, even competing on a swim team when he was younger. "The water is literally like a second home for me," he said.

Today, Julian serves as both a lifeguard and swim instructor, helping children build confidence while developing life-saving water safety skills. For him, the most rewarding part of the job isn't sitting in the lifeguard chair. It's watching children overcome their fears. "My favorite part is seeing kids start off scared and timid," Julian said. "Then they come back the next day with a smile on their face. They're remembering my name, I'm remembering theirs and we're building a connection." One swimmer in particular has left a lasting impression. Julian began working with a young swimmer named Nolan earlier this year. When Nolan first arrived, he was terrified of the water. "He wouldn't to let go. There was crying and screaming sometimes," Julian recalled. Over time, something remarkable happened.

Through patience, encouragement and consistent practice, Nolan began to trust himself. "Now he's going in the water and swimming by himself," Julian said. "He went from thinking the wall and the land were the safest part to wanting to be a little fish in the water." As Julian shared the story, he became emotional. "It kind of makes me tear up because I really did see him grow in the water."

While moments like these can be rewarding, lifeguarding also carries significant responsibility. Julian recalls his first rescue, when a young child wearing a life jacket was caught in a strong current near a slide area. Recognizing that the child needed assistance, Julian responded quickly and brought him to safety. The experience reinforced an important aspect of the job: lifeguards are often the first to respond when something goes wrong in the water. “When it comes to the pool, you're there before EMS, before firefighters, before everybody else,” Julian said. “You have to be ready to act.”

Julian encourages parents to stay engaged, even when lifeguards are on duty. “It’s better to have an extra pair of eyes,” he said. He also stresses that water safety should never be taken for granted, noting that accidents can happen in just a few inches of water. Beyond the pool, Julian says working at the YMCA helped him build confidence and become more outgoing. For those considering lifeguarding, he says the job offers more than a paycheck. “You’re going to build connections, grow your confidence and become more sociable,” he said. “People think it’s just a summer job, but once I started, I didn’t want to leave.” Lifeguards do much more than watch the water.

Lifeguards do much more than watch the water. They build confidence in young swimmers, provide peace of mind for families, respond to emergencies and help create safe spaces where children can learn, grow and thrive. This summer, we're grateful for lifeguards like Julian whose dedication helps keep our community safe every day.