Contributed by Gail Rodgers

Like most community associations during the COVID-19 pandemic, ours faced significant challenges. For three years, the pool, playground, and sports courts had limited hours and needed additional safety precautions. In 2023, early signs for staffing the pool did not look promising. We asked residents if they would be willing to work as a lifeguard. I wanted the pool to be open seven days a week, so I began considering certification myself.

My mother was a swim instructor who taught me at an early age. As a teenager, I was a certified lifeguard, so I thought I had an idea of what the process involved. When I arrived for training, the room was full of 15- and 16-year-olds. I was 66 years old at the time, and they all assumed I was the instructor. When the young instructor arrived, she asked why I was there.

After I explained my situation, she was incredibly supportive. During training, we learned CPR, swam six 25-meter continuous laps, treaded water for two minutes, and dove to retrieve a 10-pound brick. We had to swim the length of the pool on our backs while holding the brick and exit without using a ladder. We learned ways to locate and rescue a drowning victim in both shallow and deep water.

After the first few shifts, I realized I genuinely enjoyed the work and the chance to get to know residents in a new way. One day, when thunder forced everyone out of the pool, I let children pass the time by sitting in the lifeguard chair and hold the flotation device. Another day, an 8-year-old boy introduced himself, shook my hand, and thanked me for lifeguarding so the pool could stay open. Since then, I occasionally play pickleball with him.

I also discovered older residents come in the mornings to walk laps across the shallow end of the pool. I talked with them if the pool was not busy. I learned one woman had become a long-distance swimmer, and we are now Facebook friends. Another resident was just learning to swim, and I was able to give him advice.

I’ve served as community association board president for more than 20 years, but lifeguarding helped me know residents on a much deeper level. Now they stop me while I am walking my dog to share community ideas, volunteer for events, and sometimes complain.

The local TV station came out to interview me at the pool. Soon I was getting calls from national media for more interviews. I had my 15 minutes of fame but more importantly, I had two great summers getting to know my community better.

After the summer of 2024, my certification expired. Although I genuinely enjoyed my time as a lifeguard, I chose not to renew it; I wanted those jobs to go to people who needed the income. If the need arose and I could still physically pass the test, I would gladly do it again.

Gail Rodgers is board president of the Montgomery Towne Homeowners Association in Cincinnati.

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