Subject: RE: Do we really need lifeguards at the pool?The lifeguards at my local gym are great. They know I just started learning to swim in October, and every time they see me practice, they say hi, sometimes they give me some pointers and advice if it's not too busy, and when I leave they thank me for coming in. They're also there walking around the three pools (lap pool, zero entry pool for kids, heated therapy pool ) checking on everyone. They clean up the deck, and they enforce the rules, although I tend to go when the kids are in school. When it's busy and we need to go into lane sharing mode, they act as intermediaries and will match you up with someone they believe swims at the same pace. Then they politely ask the swimmer in the lane if they don't mind sharing. When a swimmer wraps up a workout, they often let the lifeguard know, and he or she has a good idea of who's been in the pool longer and gets their own lane if one opens up. I think having friendly and helpful lifeguards make it a great place to swim. I'd be pretty bummed going to a pool with lifeguards on their phones. |