Nothing says the first day of summer like a 90 degree day. Well, for the second consecutive day, the National Weather Service has predicted yet another scorching hot day, and it comes on the official beginning of the summer season.
Staying inside where the air conditioner is struggling to keep your home at a decent temperature is one way to keep cool. But, a cheaper and much more fun way to stay cool is to head over to the Ellwood City Pool. Today, the first day of summer, EllwoodCity.org has the final part of the Q&A with Ellwood pool lifeguards.
Name: Matt Linebaugh (Assistant Pool Manager)
Age: 20
School: St. Vincent College
Years on staff: 5 years
Years trained in CPR: 5 years
Name one instance when you found yourself in water when you least expected it.
This one time, a little girl’s life jacket had come undone and I had to jump in the shallow end from the chair. It was a hot day, so it worked out.
When is the best time to visit the pool? Why?
From 4-6 in the evening, after the daycare leaves, it’s quieter.
What is the oddest question someone has asked you while on duty?
“Are you Christian Kegel?” – he’s another life guard at the pool.
What SPF do you use?
I usually use 12 SPF.
What is the best part of your job?
I would say the best part of my job would be seeing people enjoy themselves in a safe manner and being like an older brother to some of the kids.
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Name: Veronica Umstott (Pool Manager)
Age: 21
School: Seton Hill University
Years on staff: 7 years
Years trained in CPR: 7 years
Name one instance when you found yourself in water when you least expected it.
To retrieve a bike from the bottom of the deep end.
When is the best time to visit the pool? Why?
The best time to visit the pool is on weekdays after 3 p.m. because the day cares leaves and the pool seems to settle down when there aren’t 300 kids in it. Weekends are also a great time to come!
What is the oddest question someone has asked you while on duty?
We get asked a lot of odd questions, but my favorite ones are: “If I (insert broken rule here), will you kick me out?”
What SPF do you use?
We really encourage sun safety at the Ellwood City Pool and all of our guards take it very seriously. I personally wear 15 SPF.
What is the best part of your job?
My favorite part about working at the Ellwood City Pool is having the opportunity to work with an awesome staff and meeting new people from the community every day. It’s also super rewarding to see the kids progress throughout the summer, from clinging to their moms, then wearing a life jacket, and finally swimming by themselves across the entire pool!
