John was a young Lifeguard in the early eighties - he is now a General Manager of a busy Arts and Leisure Facility and takes up the story:-

“When I was first got into the leisure industry, I took the job, because it was a job and they put me through my Bronze Medallion. I had no real passion for saving lives - it was all about the £55 a week and and how I could “invest” that in the bookies to double it!

Any opportunity for a bit of O/T was welcomed and double shifts - 7am - 11pm were great (time and a half from 3 pm).

Stephen was a lifeguard in the early eighties and is now Head of Service in a Local Authority.

Back in 1984 I took a summer job in the local leisure centre to make some money after I finished university. It was for me just a stop-gap and I had no intention then of staying within the industry for over 30 years.

Anyway - I got caught up in the whole atmosphere of a quickly developing career but did do my time on poolside.

Andrea was a Lifeguard in the 80’s and was working her way up through the ranks moving from job to job in new centres in different authorities on a regular basis as we had to do back then.

“ I wasn’t long into my new post - maybe six months or so. I had been a Duty Manager in my previous posting on an “on and off” basis - acting up from time to time - this was my first “proper” job as a young Duty Manager with responsibility for the “Wet Side”

There happened to be a young Lifeguard whom I knew (and still do) and had always found her to be honest, trustworthy and loyal.