Technically speaking, retiring need not be a lifelong choice. In Northglenn, a community just outside of Denver, five older citizens stepped out of retirement to save the pool at the city’s recreation center.
The pool wasn’t about to close, but because of the lack of lifeguards nationwide, the hours were about to be reduced.
“It was really to keep it open, so people could come in and lap swim, (including) us,” said Al Hooper, team leader. “So we all said, ‘Hey, if you take a day, I take a day… We can keep it open.'”
Actually, they have developed into a full-fledged super squad. After completing all three of the lifeguard test’s physical requirements, they even refer to themselves as the Immortals.
A 2018 Washington Post article said fewer teens were working during the summer, something that had impacted parks departments, hotels, and country clubs across the country. The article said wages were being raised and physical requirements lowered in the hopes of attracting more applicants.
A spokesman for the American Lifeguard Association, BJ Fisher, said they had turned to recruiting older folks. “We’re starting to think outside the box: baby boomers, seniors, retired lawyers and accountants,” he said. Since many retirees were looking for part-time work to make ends meet lifeguarding often fits the bill.
