We all love a little (or a lot!) of fun in the sun. And when that fun happens at a public swimming pool, it takes a team of people to make sure that the only problem swimmers face is their annual sunburn.

Within that team is the most important job to swimmer safety - the lifeguard. And that’s why every year we celebrate them and show our appreciation for all the important work they do keeping our swimmers safe.

International Lifeguard Appreciation Day is officially observed on July 31st but the appreciation is often shared throughout the summer season.

We’ve seen pools across the U.S. get creative in so many different ways with how they honor their lifeguard staff.

If you’re looking to give thanks and gratitude back to your lifeguards, here are a few fun and unique ideas:

Social Media Posts (Shoutouts)

There’s no specific way to create these types of posts but one example is to create a template post that you can simply replace the name/image for each lifeguard.

Paper Plate Awards

For those working with small (or no) budgets, you can still praise and recognize your lifeguard staff with simple handmade awards using paper plates.

Pool Party with Games

You’ll have to host the party after public swimming hours but many people order in some type of food and host a number of games for all the lifeguards to compete in. Some common games include:

Sharks and Minnows

One player begins as the “shark.” The rest of the players will be “minnows.” The “shark” goes to the middle of the pool, while the minnows on one end of the pool try to swim to the other end of the pool – without getting tagged by the shark.

If a “minnow” player is tagged, the minnow has to leave the group and become a shark.

Marco Polo

One person says Marco, everyone else says Polo and…well, you know the game!

T-Shirt Relays

Players are divided into teams. Each team gets a large wet t-shirt. The object of the game is to swim across the pool and back wearing the t-shirt, which is then passed on to the next team member. The team that finishes first wins.

Belly Flop Contest

This is self-explanatory, right?

Cardboard Boat Race

Divide players into teams and give them one hour to use minimal supplies (carboard, scissors, tape) to build their best cardboard boat.

Encourage teams to get creative, and be sure each boat gets a name! When the time is up, have the teams put their boats in the pool. The boat that stays afloat longest wins!

F-I-S-H

Similar to H-O-R-S-E, the first player performs a task that the others must repeat. For example, if the first player does three continuous flips in the water, the other players take turns attempting it.

If someone cannot perform the task, he or she earns the first letter in the word fish. The first person to spell “fish” loses.

Duck Push

Starting at one end of the pool, players must push their rubber duck to the other end of the pool without using their hands.

They can push the ducks with their noses, blow on them, bump them with their foreheads, or any other creative method to get it moving!

Custom Cakes and Snacks

Everyone loves a random cookie, ice cream cone, or tasty cake but you can add a personalized touch by giving it a lifeguard or pool design. Offer these in the break room, at a dedicated lifeguard appreciation party, or even at an upcoming in-service training!

Gratitude Wall

This can be done as simply or creatively as you would like but the idea is to dedicate an area on a wall or whiteboard where short messages of gratitude for lifeguards can be shared. These can be written on post-it notes or directly on the wall and can come from non-lifeguard pool staff or even other lifeguards.

Other Great Ideas!

Colored powder for color wars or to throw in the air to for fun photos
Taco bar
Freezer full of ice cream and popsicles surprise
Potluck
Small bag with lifesaver candy + Thank You message
Private late-night swim
Pizza party
Gift cards (Coffee shop, etc)

There is also an International Lifeguard Appreciation Day contest where pools can submit a summary of the event they hosted for the chance of winning various prizes.

No matter how you choose to honor and show appreciation for your lifeguard staff, we should be thankful all year long for the time, energy, and dedication put in by our lifeguards. This makes it possible for us swimmers to splish and splash year after year.

DigiQuatics is a simple tool that aquatics facilities can use to modernize their operation. Visit www.digiquatics.com to learn more.

Lifeguard Appreciation: Simple Ideas for How to Give Back!