value
THE COST OF A LIFEGUARD what it is to be a lifeguard • p. 12
it’s true, we
our lifeguards • p. 14
keep kids safe at the pool • p. 24
1 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
2 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
THE GUARD ISSUE
6 9 10 12 14 18 20 24 26 28 30
beating the lifeguard precourse from lifeguard to executive GIVING BACK: the boys and girls club of asbury park the value of a lifeguard summer to win #mygflsummer a lifeguard’s perspective ASK AN EXPERT: keep kids safe in and around the pool REFLECTIONS: mike trezza locations client spotlight
3 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
creators Creative Director / Lauren A Roepcke Manag / Scott A Small Graphic Designer / Alana Hardee Copy Editor / Keisha Rigby
contributers AquaMobile Anthony du Sablon Ben Basch Bryan Burke Cat Ludwiczak Chris Snyder Cynthia Sturke Keisha Rigby Mike Trezza Rick Naden Sabraya Isaacs
publishing notes Aquatic Leader Magazine™ is published semi-annually by American Pool Enterprises, Inc. It can be viewed online at:
What is Guard For Life? The Guard For Life Mission Build a lifeguard culture that encourages safety, develops workplace confidence and empowers a young workforce. Guard for Life is a one-of-a-kind program from American Pool. Originally created as a recruiting program, Guard for Life has grown into a national program for lifeguards with over 6,500 participants. Our goals include building an exciting lifeguard culture based on empowerment and fun. We provide a friendly work environment where you can develop skills, gain professional confidence and even advance into an aquatics career.
americanpool.com/aquaticleader Please send reprint requests and letters to: Aquatic Leader Magazine American Pool Enterprises, Inc. 11515 Cronridge Drive, Suite Q Owings Mills, MD 21117 P. 1.877.920.7665 General information about the company and its services may be found at americanpool.com.
advertising partners AutoPilot Hayward Commercial Pool Products Merlin Industries, Inc. Pentair Commercial Aquatics
Program Overview We hire and match lifeguards with lifeguard jobs in local communities. Our pools can be found down the street, in your city or where you go to school. Throughout your employment, we provide online scheduling, on-time payment and supervision. We also offer American Red Cross Lifeguard and CPR/AED certification training. We are currently the largest provider of American Red Cross Lifeguard training in the United States. Through Guard for Life, you can land a job for the summer, make friends, win prizes, learn skills that will last a lifetime and be a part of a larger community of lifeguards!
join our guard for life team... Quick Apply Visit www.guardforlife.com and quick apply! Once submitted, you will be contacted by one of our friendly staffers to set up an interview.
Interview Set? Great! Be sure to bring in your completed forms and paperwork to your interview.
Copyright Š 2016 American Pool Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.
Go to an event Attend a hiring event at a local office. They can take care of your application, interview and paperwork in one day.
"are we being...
caring? thoughtful? honest? safe?" The words you see above are what we at American Pool consider our “Core Values”. They are what drive our people, our business and what our customers expect. Our core business consists of providing qualified lifeguards to communities, clubs, apartments and retirement communities. If we expect our guards to perform at a high level to keep your patrons, family and community members safe, we understand that it starts with us. We challenge our employees to ask themselves daily: “Are we being caring? Thoughtful? Honest? Safe?” If we can answer yes to all four of these questions, we’re confident our lifeguards will follow suit and provide the highest level of safety and service to our customers.
All of these characteristics are not new, we’re not reinventing the wheel, but we are leading by these values and striving for excellence every day. At the end of the day SAFETY is our #1 PRIORITY, for our customers and our people. We partner with both to achieve this every day. For this special edition of The Aquatic Leader Magazine, The Guard Issue, our hope is that it inspires not only our youth to get involved in something bigger than the latest PlayStation®, but that it also encourages more people to get in the water and learn to swim. Fewer and fewer of our youth have the ability to swim even one length of a swimming pool. We need more programs like that of the Boys and Girls Club of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Teaching our youth to swim, and to possibly become A Guard for Life!
Rick Naden President, Chief Executive Officer American Pool Enterprises americanpool.com
Integrity has always been very important to me, both personally and professionally. Without it, these core values above are just hollow words, but with, it combines to create a culture that not only talks, but does.
5 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
Making the decision to become a lifeguard may pose several challenges. These challenges include passing the required lifeguard training and the precourse session, which includes the prerequisite swimming skills. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to start the training process by registering, researching the training required and practicing your swimming skills.
TRAINING: Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what training you actually need in order to sit atop the lifeguard chair. There are many different types of courses available, so the choices can be daunting. Take some time to review the training classes available at your company. Don’t be afraid to contact someone at your local office to ask training-related questions such as... • Does the aquatic facility have a water park or waterfront?
During this portion of the lifeguarding course, you will be required to
• Will I be hired to only guard at a shallow pool that is five feet or less?
• Continuously swim 300 yards with Either front crawl or breaststroke.
PRECOURSE SESSION:
Don’t worry, this isn’t as terrifying as it sounds... Just practice!
In addition to your classroom training, which covers everything from CPR to respecting your patrons, a lifeguard training course will have a required precourse session that will test you on prerequisite swimming skills. The skills tests are dependent on which lifeguarding course you are taking. The purpose of the precourse 6 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
session in the lifeguarding courses are to evaluate your swimming skills. The instructor will evaluate your strength, endurance, and comfort in the water. If you are able to complete the prerequisite swimming skills, you have the capability to complete the required water rescue skills in the lifeguarding course.
• Tread water for two minutes without the use of your hands.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind when swimming the 300 yard continuous swim... First, take your time! It is not a race. At no time are you allowed to stop or hang onto the wall or ropes, so pace yourself
and stay relaxed. Keep your body horizontal and use your legs to contribute momentum. This will help swim you through the 300 yards. It is important to know that you must demonstrate breath control and rhythmic breathing. You may not swim with your head and face out of the water. So, feel free to bring a pair of goggles for this portion of the test. Treading water for two minutes without your hands may sound daunting, but it really isn’t. Keep your body vertical, head above the water, and use a nice hard kick. There are many different types of kicks that you can use. However, I have always felt the “egg beater kick” is the most efficient. Another thing I always do to make the two minutes go by faster is sing a little song in my head! Once you’ve demonstrated you can swim and tread water, you will be required to complete the timed brick test. This can be tricky.
Here’s what you have to do:
to be successful. Your start to a lifeguarding career will be a definite success!
You have 1 minute and 40 seconds to complete the following:
Also, remember if you do not successfully complete the precourse session on your first attempt, practice and sign up again. Don’t get discouraged! If your employer has the option of guarding at a shallow water facility that is no greater than five feet deep, the Shallow Water Lifeguarding Course may be a better option for you. The precourse is much easier than the regular lifeguarding course. The swimming portion is only 100 yards compared to 300 yards, and the timed brick test only involves walking 20 yards in four feet of water. Regardless of what option you choose, don’t give up!
1 2 3 4
Swim 20 yards (without goggles) and locate the brick submerged 7–10 feet deep in the pool. Surface dive (from the water) either feet or head first and retrieve the brick.
Swim with the brick back to your starting location holding it throughout the swim. The brick cannot be submerged, and two hands must be holding the brick throughout the swim. Exit the water without using a ladder or stairs.
These steps are key to beating the lifeguard brick test. Just remember the secret to beating any portion of the precourse session is to practice. The more strength and endurance you have, the more likely you are
Article by Sabraya Isaacs Corporate Safety Director American Pool Enterprises, Inc.
Here’s how I beat the lifeguard brick test:
1 2 3 4
When you locate the brick, keep it in front of you so when you dive down, you will land right on it. Dive down headfirst. You will get there faster. Once you pick up the brick, push hard with your feet to propel yourself upward. Then, flutter kick until you reach the surface. Rest the brick on the upper part of your chest right under your chin and get into the back float position.
5 6 7
With both hands holding the brick, begin to kick. Many people decide to frog kick (the kick used in breaststroke) as it is most powerful. Be sure to use whichever kick you are more comfortable with. Kick until you reach the wall. Once you are there, place one hand on the wall and use the other to set the brick down.
GOOD LUCK! 7 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
8 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
From Lifeguard to Executive
The media typically portrays lifeguards in one of two ways‌ the beach front action hero or the poolside slacker. These are really unfortunate perceptions of what it is a lifeguard is actually doing on a daily basis. What you may not realize is that the skills and traits necessary are an awful lot like those required of successful executives. Lifeguarding is an incredible opportunity for young people to develop and nurture the attributes that can take them far in both their career and life. So what does it take to be a successful professional lifeguard?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
9 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
Giving Back
American Pool the boys and girls club of asbury park
10 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
Impacting the community one child at a time, the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County is getting a much needed makeover. Among the team leading the effort, American Pool is on-site lending a helping hand. Members of the club will be treated to a much improved aquatic facility.
You have kids that “are often times not exposed to swimming or the water lifestyle, and so having a pool available to provide them with those skill sets ultimately saves lives.
”
Everyday kids come to the Boys and Girls Club in Asbury Park after school. For many young people, the Club is a home away from home. It offers a place for children to feel safe and away from the crime they may encounter on the streets. Young members, ranging from age 6–18, not only stay at the club for a couple of hours after school, but often well into the evening. They get the chance to enjoy a host of activities, including sports, lessons on healthy eating habits and even tutoring. These activities are all designed to build friendships and lasting relationships within the community. Over the years, one of the Club’s most popular amenities has been the indoor swimming pool. Access to aquatic programming is critical for a community located on the Jersey Shore waterfront. “As Asbury Park is a shore town, it’s really important for kids that are growing up with the ocean right at their doorstep to be able to swim. And I think even more so in under-resourced communities like Asbury,” explains Douglas Eagles, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monmouth County. “You have kids that are often times not exposed to swimming or the water lifestyle, and so having a pool available to provide them with those skill sets ultimately saves lives.” Located on the west side of town less than two miles from the beach, the Asbury Park club resides in a
historic 70 year old building that was once home to the then named, Kiwanis Boys Club established in 1938. While the club has been fortunate to have the support of dedicated volunteers to keep the facility functioning, the building and facilities were in need of additional support. Mitch Friedlander, CEO of American Leisure, assessed the issue, “The Boys and Girls Club has been doing a great job keeping the place together and is a vital part of the community while operating on a shoestring budget. The pool area has been band-aided for years.” That’s where the American Pool team jumped in. In one short week, American Pool of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania completed the renovation and the facility is now back up and running. Donating 500+ hours of skilled manpower and $65,000 in material and supplies, the girls and boys of Asbury Park can now enjoy a newly equipped and refurbished aquatic facility. The renovation included a full facility cleaning, tile repair, expansion joint replacement, resolution of structural leaks, a painted interior, the installation of an automated chemical controller, and replacement of the facility’s antiquated 1970s filters with a brand new commercial filtration system. The renovations won’t stop there. With the help of leading developer, iStar, Asbury Park not only gets to experience a new pool, but a soon to be re-designed club featuring a new three-story building adjacent to the existing structure. In addition to American Pool, at least 10 other companies have donated their services to make this new center a reality for the Asbury community.
Donors include: • • • • • • • • • • •
American Pool American Leisure Baystate Bel Aqua Cat Controllers Hayward Holt Machinery I-Star Mid State Electric Pentair SCP
About The Club The Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County at Asbury Park is a private non-profit organization that serves children that come from some of the most difficult circumstances in the County. Currently, they have two facilities, the Red Bank Unit in Red Bank, NJ and the Asbury Park Unit in Asbury Park, NJ. The organization has served more than 1,800 kids and teens in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Their vision is to have a positive impact on the lives of young people by providing a safe environment to learn and grow, fostering ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, providing life enhancing programs and character development experiences, and offering hope and opportunity. With a professional licensed staff, Boys and Girls Clubs of Monmouth County’s youth enjoy a variety of activities ranging from swimming in the Club’s pool to exploring the world of computers. Please consider donating to The Boys and Girls Club of Asbury Park in their efforts to better the community! Visit bgcmonmouth.org for more information.
Opposite Page, from top: Members of the then Boys Club of Asbury Park in the 1970s; Boys and Girls Club pool gets ready for a makeover; Douglas Eagles, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County, poses with Brian Bergeski, Vice President of Construction of American Pool New Jersey; The American Pool New York and American Pool New Jersey crew prep the pool before painting; Boys and Girls Club welcome sign; Rick Bartolotta perfects the pool tile; Original Boys Club logo hanging by the pool; Alex Laski power washes the pool seating; American Pool crew preparing to paint; Matt Karpinecz and Chris Mould clean the surrounding pool area; The Boys and Girls Club pool is beautified and ready to be filled; The final pool ready for swim!
Article by Keisha Rigby Marketing Assistant American Pool Enterprises, Inc. 11 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
value
The cost of 3
Candidates must display proficiency in swimming techniques and the applicable cardiovascular abilities to fulfill the position.
WAS REPORTED TO BE ROUGHLY 4
NEXT UP IS... roughly 25 hours of classroom and skills training!
BETWEEN 1993 - 2013
1
5
Lifeguards are then tested on everything taught during these sessions to ensure appropriate retention of life saving skills.
Lifeguarding, unlike most entry level
1 positions, has significant cost and time barriers prior to the first day of work.
2
For a normal seasonal position, training would take place on the job, and provide a basic level of knowledge for the employee to begin work. This is not true for a lifeguard. Before beginning the process of lifeguard training, all employees must pass the initial swim test. Having the strong ability to swim is crucial.
12 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
2
Along the way, all American Pool employees will go through orientation sessions associated with other entry level positions. If the lifeguard will have responsibilities beyond lifeguarding, such as filter room operations, additional training is required. 1. NSPF Whitepaper, More Swimmers A Healthier Society (NSPF, 2012). 2. ROEI: Return On Employee Investment (Sage Insights, 2013). 3. Lifeguard Effectiveness: A Report of the Working Group (2001)
a lifeguard 9
Every swimming pool operates in a unique way. These differences are apparent when you examine the mechanical, procedural and regulatory requirements for a particular facility. A lifeguard must be trained on these intricacies in order to have a successful day at a new assignment.
3
7
• How the filtration and
sanitization systems operate.
• How to clean and maintain the •
•
8
proper appearance of the pool and pool area. What tasks need to be completed on a daily basis (trash pickup, bathroom cleaning, furniture orientation). How to interact with all potential patrons for that facility, including pass policies and rules to enforce.
COMMUNICATION
Even after training, there are still many things that can be done to improve the ability of your lifeguard to service your facility. • Ensure that all pool rules are clearly laid out to patrons and are easily enforceable. • Detail the proper chain of communication if any problems or complications arise at the facility. • Interact with your lifeguard regularly. Engaging them in the ways of proper communication will allow them to service your facility in an informed and professional manner.
- Sam Walton Founder of Walmart 10
American Pool Lifeguards demonstrate their commitment to the job by completing over 40 hours of training before their first day at a facility. We provide additional training opportunities to encourage growth and confidence.
Article by Chris Snyder Vice President of Management American Pool Maryland
13 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
Now in its seventh year, American Pool’s flagship lifeguard program Guard For Life will return this summer with its popular Summer To Win contest. Kicked-off in 2009, Summer To Win is a summer-long initiative to demonstrate American Pool’s appreciation for the dedicated lifeguards who make summertime enjoyable and safe for all patrons. Well-versed in everything from how to balance pool chemicals to interacting with children, lifeguards are the backbone of any successful aquatic facility. There is no doubt about the amount of responsibility entrusted upon a lifeguard each time he or she enters a pool. Rightfully, they deserve acknowledgment for their great work. Summer To Win is American Pool’s answer to that call. Not only does the contest simply acknowledge lifeguards, it maximizes the chances of more and more lifeguards to win great prizes throughout the summer. With 13 American Pool offices — New York to Texas — participating in the program, over 6,000 lifeguards have the chance to win over $10,000 in prizes. It all starts on week one. Every week a lifeguard from each office is awarded the title of Lifeguard of the Week, all eligible to win more prizes as Lifeguard of the Month, Lifeguard of the Year and, to win the top prize, National Lifeguard of the Year. We show our guards that great work gets rewarded! 14 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
Meet our Past Winners!
Last year’s contest received some of our most exceptional and wellrounded lifeguards in the program. We caught up with three of our guards to see how they’ve enjoyed Summer To Win.
Ashley C., 17 - Lawton, OK Lifeguard of the Week Office: American Pool, Georgia Aspiring Musician
How was your summer with Guard for Life? My summer with Guard for Life was great! Being a manager was a lot of responsibility, but I was able to have a good time keeping the patrons at my pool happy! This summer, my prize was a Starbucks gift card. I enjoyed the surprise of being awarded for my hard work. It showed how Guard for Life really cares for their employees.
How was your summer with Guard for Life? 2015 was one of the best summers I have had. I loved all of the relationships I had with my coworkers and pool patrons. I loved my regulars and they loved me. It was great seeing all of the happy residents and getting to hear their stories every single day at the pool. I really enjoyed winning, I’m a very competitive person when it comes to contests for some reason. I also enjoyed getting stuff that’s actually useful for me. I use my Fitbit when I do rounds while on duty for my Residential Education job. In a way Summer To Win motivated me to work harder, but it was also fun because in the long run, I knew that I could win a prize that was pretty fun and well–deserved for a summer of hard work.
Why lifeguarding? One of the main reasons I became a lifeguard was to hang out with my friends. I also wanted to do it because I love to be in the sun and by the water. It just made sense to become a lifeguard!
Why lifeguarding? I have always loved swimming and being outside, so when I was a freshman in high school and a lifeguard job was offered to me, I couldn’t resist! I’ve been working every summer for the past three (almost four) years and I love it!
What advice would you give future lifeguards? I’ve been a lifeguard for four years. In those years I’ve learned so much, but I would say the most important advice I would give to a 1st year lifeguard is to always remember your training and be ready for anything! Last year one of my guards had to make a save on his very first day and acted on a seizure incident a few days later. You never know what could happen!
Chris O., 20 - West Sayville, NY Lifeguard of the Month Office: American Pool, Long Island Aspiring Math Teacher
What advice would you give future lifeguards? I’m majoring in Mathematics with a minor in Adolescent Education to become a math teacher. My time as a lifeguard has allowed me to work with people of various backgrounds and perspectives. I’ve learned how to handle all sorts of situations and improve my customer service skills. Being a lifeguard has been great practice for the classroom.
15 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
How was your summer with Guard for Life? I enjoy being outside as much as possible in the summer and working for Guard for Life allows me to do just that. I worked at a great pool in New Jersey. The property manager and patrons were great to work for, they treated me very well, and they motivated me to do my very best in keeping every patron safe by the pool and keeping the pool area clean and tidy.
Why lifeguarding? I decided to become a lifeguard because in the summertime, there is no better place to be than being outside in the sun all day!
Dave F., 24 - Clayton, NJ Lifeguard of the Summer Office: American Pool Southern New Jersey Aspiring Educator
What advice would you give future lifeguards? I recommend that they buy a cooler no matter if there is fridge in the pool club house or not. It is not always easy to step away from the pool when patrons are on deck. Having a cooler with plenty of water and fruit is an ideal way to keep your body energized and refreshed while being in the sun all day.
Outside of the pool, how have your lifeguard skills helped you? As a junior majoring in History and Geography, currently working towards a degree in education, any experience that includes working with children of all ages is a great help towards becoming a great educator.
See What’s Ahead... No doubt, 2016 will be our best summer yet! With the introduction of American Pool’s new office in Houston, we are now accepting lifeguard applications across eastern Texas.
Join
Please visit guardforlife.com for more info.
apply online guardforlife.com
the
team 16 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
you could be
our next
winner!
WHAT COULD YOU WIN? THIS SUMMER, OUR ELITE LIFEGUARDS FROM EACH OFFICE ARE ELIGIBLE TO WIN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PRIZES...
144
12
LIFEGUARDS OF THE WEEK WILL WIN A $20 AMAZON GIFT CARD & A LIFEGUARD STYLE ITEM
36
LIFEGUARDS OF THE MONTH WILL WIN A FITBIT FLEX & A LIFEGUARD STYLE ITEM
LIFEGUARDS OF THE YEAR WILL WIN AN IPAD MINI & A LIFEGUARD STYLE ITEM
NATIONAL LIFEGUARD OF THE YEAR WILL WIN A $500 AMAZON CARD & A LIFEGUARD STYLE ITEM
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT
GUARDFORLIFE.COM/STW
17 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
ANNA C. | EDISON, NJ
EDWARD W. | EDISON, NJ
LAUREN R. | BERLIN, NJ
HORACE P. | ALPHARETTA, GA
AUSTIN J. | BERLIN, NJ
EVELYN R. | EDISON, NJ
ANNA B. | ALPHARETTA, GA
KYLE B. | EDISON, NJ
CARMELA S. | COLUMBIA, MD
BEN B. | EDISON, NJ
ALLISON B. | PITTSBURGH, PA
JACOB R. | RALEIGH, NC
PATIENCE C. | EDISON, NJ
AMANDA K. | HAUPPAUGE, NY
HALEIGH C. | EDISON, NJ
HALEIGH C. | EDISON, NJ
MURS O. | HAUPPAUGE, NY
EVELYN R. | EDISON, NJ
TIFFANI F. | HAUPPAUGE, NY
JOEY W. | PITTSBURGH, PA
18 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
MURS O. | HAUPPAUGE, NY
LAUREN A. | EDISON, NJ
MURS O. | HAUPPAUGE, NY
DONNA K. | BERLIN, NJ
FRANCESCA L. | EDISON, NJ
TIFFANI F. | HAUPPAUGE, NY
EMILY K. | COLUMBIA, MD
ANNA C. | EDISON, NJ
Life of a Guard. Summers with Guard for Life are like no other. Sunny days, flexible hours, working poolside, and having a swim suit for a uniform, lifeguarding is quite a unique opportunity. To give you a little peek at all the fun, our guards took the time to share their summer snaps with us.
#mygflsummer TWEET IT.
EVELYN R. | EDISON, NJ
EVELYN R. | EDISON, NJ
f
TAG IT.
Join the conversation by following us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook! Stay tuned for more contest opportunities.
19 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
A LIFEGUARD’S
PERSPECTIVE
20 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
by Cat Ludwiczak recognition of hard work. Whether it was in the office, or supervisors at the pool, the support of the American Pool team was something that always stuck with me. Three years later, I returned back to New York from Hawaii, and that feeling of support was still with me. With the work experience I gained after my time as a lifeguard, I saw how special the American Pool team was. I realized it was something I wanted to be a part of again. I then reached out to Mike, and applied to become a recruiter.
“...instead of simply
telling them no. To my surprise not only did the children listen, they began to look up to me, telling me that when they grow up they wanted to be like me and help protect people. It was a truly rewarding feeling.
“
I was 19 years old when I first applied as a lifeguard for American Pool. Home for the summer after finishing my freshman year of college in Hawaii, it only made sense to me to work near the water. Shaking as I walked up to the office for my interview, I knew the position entailed quite a bit more responsibility than my previous job of stacking clothes in the back room of a clothing store. After all, the worst thing that could happen stacking clothes was a ripped jacket;
a tragedy that wouldn’t compare to a threat to human life. Acknowledging the responsibility of the position served me well as a lifeguard. In the mornings, before any patrons arrived, I would review training and rescue procedures. A routine that ensured I remained well informed became a tremendous help. It was a type of silent confidence. When kids would do something potentially dangerous, I was able to sit with them and explain why the rules needed to be enforced, instead of simply telling them no. To my surprise not only did the children listen, they began to look up to me, telling me that when they grow up they wanted to be like me and help protect people. It was a truly rewarding feeling. Towards the end of the summer, Mike Trezza, Director of Staffing, called me and told me I’ve done a fantastic job this summer, and asked if I would like to be in a photoshoot for the company. I jumped at the opportunity, filled with gratitude for
It was my chance to help others find what I’ve found with American Pool. As I began interviewing, the vision of a shaking 19 year old me re-appeared. I saw myself in the applicants I interviewed in the same position I was in three years prior. My team and I were more than ready to share our knowledge with future lifeguards who understood the magnitude of their position. Because of my experiences, it became important to me to pass on the feeling of support I was lucky enough to have been given. I look forward to continuing to use my own experience to inspire lifeguards and prove to them that hard work makes the difference.
Cat Ludwiczak Staffing Manager American Pool New York
21 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
by Anthony du Sablon If I were to credit one personal characteristic to my success at American Pool, I would attribute it to my ability to roll with the punches. The nature of our job is different from a traditional position in every sense. It’s the kind of job where the solution to a problem is never straightforward. Each client and property have unique needs that must be addressed with different sets of strategies and approaches. It’s what keeps my job interesting and exciting.
I thrive on the ability to prove my worth and dedication, it’s a personal challenge. In the summer of 2012, I was promoted from my position as a lifeguard to a more supervisory position midway through the season. As I prepared to take on my new responsibilities, I reflected on the words of my father. He always taught me to give 110% into everything that I do and take extra care to give respect where respect is due, especially as it pertained to work. Accompanied by the knowledge I gained from my team members Anthony LeVoci, then Assistant Regional Manager, and Nick Vaccerrello, Regional Manager, my desire to excel was ignited. Now the supervisor of 17 pools in Ossining, NY, I made it my business to know every single facility inside and out, along the way befriending and developing strong relationships with the respective property managers and residents of each facility. In the process, I’ve learned that listening to their concerns and acting on them immediately was the only way to 22 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
secure strong relationships with my clients.
If I were to credit one “aspect of my character to success in this job as the job became more difficult, I would award it to my ability to roll with the punches.
“
Success was always directly related to being available, being knowledgeable and showing my concern for every problem presented along with offering solutions each time. Sometimes a property manager, head of maintenance, board member, or resident just wants to vent and express frustration about a given situation, in which case, our job at that moment is to remain attentive, respectful, professional, and empathetic.
The principles I’ve learned on my path to Assistant Regional Manager, don’t solely apply to my interactions with property managers and residents. It extends to the one aspect of this job that has never changed from role to role, lifeguard management. It’s a responsibility that puts this job in perspective. If it wasn’t for my time as a lifeguard, and for many of our management team’s time as lifeguards, the intricacies of the industry would go unaddressed. We’ve learned to value a lifeguard’s contribution to the client’s perception of our company. Lifeguards are for many the first point of contact. And for many lifeguards, their time with American Pool is their first experience working. We understand this and support our lifeguards every step of the way. By investing my time and effort in the success of lifeguards I have been able to ensure that our lifeguards understand the importance of their position, as well. As I’ve discovered with property managers and patrons, visiting pools often, getting to know the guards and showing interest in their personal lives isn’t only the best way to foster strong relationships but it also ensures a happy and safe pool environment.
Anthony du Sablon Assistant Regional Manager American Pool New York
RULE #1 always make sure an adult is supervising
RULE #2 the buddy system
RULE #3 recognize drowning and who to call when it happens
RULE #4 wear a personal floatation device (PFD)
RULE #5 beware of drains
RULE #6 RULE #7 sign up for swimming lessons!
24 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
avoid ‘horseplay’ and other pool hazards
Water safety is an important matter, especially for toddlers and young children. Swimming pools are fun to play in, but they can also be quite dangerous. Instances of child drownings are a leading cause of death for children. According to the Red Cross, more than 1 in 5 water fatalities is a child aged 1 to 4. Your children’s safety is the absolute priority when swimming and playing in the water. Therefore, it is imperative to take necessary precautions.
Although drowning and accidents can happen to even the most advanced swimmers, the risk of danger can be minimized if everyone follows water safety rules. After teaching your children these 7 essential rules, they should understand that water safety is a priority when swimming, in addition to having a waterfall of fun!
1
The key to water safety for children is constant adult supervision when children are near the water. Whether that be a lifeguard, parent or guardian, someone should be watching before the child enters the water.
3
A common misconception of drowning is that it tends to be loud, involving lots of splashes and shouts from the person in trouble. In reality, most incidents of drowning are quick and usually involves a person quietly slipping under water. They can’t shout for help because they are too busy trying to get air into their lungs. Teach your children
aquamobileswim.com
AquaMobile is America’s leading provider of private swim lessons. We have partnered with American Pool to offer special rates on swim lessons and water safety sessions to American Pool customers. If you have any questions or comments please contact us at mindy@aquamobileswim.com or 1-888-950-7946. You can also visit our website at aquamobileswim.com.
to recognize drowning so that they can effectively call for adult attention or 911 to help.
4
Children who are not proficient swimmers should wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) or a life jacket instead of water wings, which can slip off unexpectedly.
2
Teach your children to never swim or wander to the pool area alone. Make sure your children inform an adult each time before they swim, regardless of their swim proficiency or age.
About AquaMobile
5
Watch out for drains in pools and hot tubs – body parts and hair can get trapped in the suction, resulting in injuries or fatal consequences for your child drowning. Make sure your children do not play near the hot tub suction inlets and teach them to avoid the drain areas.
away from the edges of the pool to ensure there are no tripping hazards.
7
Did you know that children aged 1 to 4 have up to an 88% less chance of drowning with formal swimming lessons? Learning the basics of swimming from a certified instructor can ensure that your children have a strong foundation of water skills and water safety knowledge before becoming a fully proficient, independent swimmer!
6
When kids are playing rough in the water, accidents can happen. Don’t let your children jump on each other or push people near the water, and keep pool toys
Article by Diana Goodwin Founder & CEO of AquaMobile
Interested in holding swim lessons or a safety session at your pool? Please visit americanpool.com/aquamobile for more information. 25 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
Reflections American Pool New York The first lifeguard course I ever took was at a Boy Scout camp in Pennsylvania during the summer of 1998. At first I was hesitant to take it because it had the reputation for being extremely tough, as part of it was done on a waterfront. I decided to do it because I wanted to challenge myself and had confidence in my abilities. Plus I wanted a cool summer job as my previous one included picking up cigarette butts off the ground outside of a dentist office in the Bronx. The course took place over a span of five days and it was as tough as advertised but I passed and received the BSA Lifeguard certification.
by Mike Trezza 26 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
A
t camp everyone looked up to the lifeguards. They were in charge of the most popular spot in camp, plus they had to do rigorous training to be there. It didn’t set in that I was a lifeguard until the day of my first shift. I was extremely nervous. I clinched the rescue tube as if I were the victim and went through all these crazy scenarios in my head during the first hour or so into the shift. As the day progressed I became more relaxed and used to the job. I knew I had the skills to prevent and react to any incident so it was just a matter of going out there and doing it. Taking that class and lifeguarding at the camp would forever change my timeline.
I really liked working “there and my hard work was recognized often.
”
For the next few summers I had all sorts of lifeguarding jobs but did not start with American Pool until the Summer of 2001. I recall I was on break eating a medium rare filet mignon while looking out the window to a panoramic view of Central Park when I got a phone call from long time friend Sean Johnson. Sean worked for American Pool as a supervisor and is now the President of the New York office. He wanted to know if I wanted to work with him for the summer. I figured it would be nice to work outside so I accepted his offer.
My first day at American Pool was at an apartment building in New Rochelle, NY. I was oriented and shown around, ready for my first day. Working for other pool companies prior, I would often report problems with the pool only to have my concerns fall on deaf ears. It was frustrating but I figured it was a part of the business, being it had happened so often. Low and behold my first day at American Pool the heater stopped working. I was not going to bother calling it in but figured I do my due diligence and do so anyway. Much to my surprise, and relief, someone came within twenty
minutes to help me. From there on out I received a ton of support and was even shown the basics in pool repair and troubleshooting. Although I was at the pool by myself I knew I could count on those guys for help and support when needed. I put in my two week notice at the same club with that picturesque view, and worked full time as lifeguard for the remainder of the summer. I really liked working there and my hard work was recognized often.
is incredibly helpful to staffing as I am no longer that 19 year old kid that could relate to the lifeguards like I could 10 years ago. I think the best part of the program is the opportunity for young adults and teenagers to get rewarded for jobs well done as well as gaining an opportunity for advancement. After all, most of the full time staff here started as a lifeguard.
The following year, I was given the chance to interview for a position in the office. I was offered the opportunity to take on a role as a staffer and graciously accepted, despite not knowing what the job entailed. All I knew, was that I was a 19 year old who was handed this huge responsibility and hiring people older than me. Being fresh from the front line of lifeguarding helped a lot as I was able to relate to them and had similar experiences. I simply told them about the different layers of support I had working for American Pool. I understood what it was like lifeguarding for the first time which helped me with the younger guards. I believe forming a relationship with lifeguards makes hiring, scheduling and collaborating with them much easier. It sort of created a sense of community among the whole company which at the time had 39 pools and 200 lifeguards.
The term Guard for Life is true to me. Although I am not actively lifeguarding anymore, the skills and experiences I gained through lifeguarding has helped shape my character, and provided a lifelong set of skills that will be a part of me forever.
I am a guard for life.
The term Guard for ”Life is true to me. ” The same sense of community exists today as we have close to 200 accounts and 1,000+ lifeguards in our area alone. I guess you can say it is due to the experience we all have as most have been here for five plus years. I believe it is due to the company culture. Everyone believes in what they do and excels at it each year. That sort of dynamic trickles down and has a company-wide affect. It was not until the advent of the Guard for Life program that we were able to take our relationship with the guards to the next level. The Guard for Life program provides the employee with support, information, and opportunity. This
Mike Trezza Director of Staffing American Pool New York 27 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
American Pool Enterprises, Inc. 11515 Cronridge Drive Suite Q Owings Mills, Maryland 21117 Ph: 877-920-7665 americanpool.com
American Pool Florida 6601 NW 14th Street Suite 7 Plantation, FL 33313 Ph: 954-792-1191 TF: 1-888-905-7665 Fx: 954-792-1226 americanpool.com/fl
American Pool Georgia 4040 Nine McFarland Dr. Suite 1100 Alpharetta, GA 30004 Ph: 770-638-1665 TF: 1-888-411-9863 Fx: 770-638-0622 americanpool.com/ga
American Pool Houston 1304 Langham Creek Dr, Suite 124 Houston, TX 77084 TF: 1-877-920-7665 Fx: 713 880-0943 americanpool.com/tx
American Pool Long Island 107 Bridge Road Islandia, NY 11749 Ph: 631-240-0930 TF: 1-877-494-7665 Fx: 631-693-5356 americanpool.com/li
28 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
American Pool Maryland
American Pool Pennsylvania
9305 Gerwig Lane Suite E Columbia, MD 21046 Ph: 410-363-6800 TF: 1-877-540-7665 Fx: 410-363-9959 americanpool.com/md
3580 Progress Drive Suite E Bensalem, PA 19020 Ph: 215-283-0300 TF: 1-866-267-7665 Fx: 215-283-1909 americanpool.com/pa
American Pool New Jersey
American Pool Pittsburgh
85 Campus Dr. Edison, NJ 08837 Ph: 732-512-1900 TF: 1-888-621-7665 Fx: 732-512-1901 americanpool.com/nj
3261 Babcock Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15237 Ph: 412-781-5950 TF: 1-866-630-7665 Fx: 1-877-209-8315 americanpool.com/pitt
American Pool New York
American Pool South Carolina
200 Airport Executive Park Suite 202 Nanuet, NY 10954 Ph: 845-356-9119 TF: 1-866-880-7665 Fx: 845-356-9229 americanpool.com/ny
American Pool North Carolina 8724 Glenwood Ave. Suite D Raleigh, NC 27617 Ph: 919-878-3661 TF: 1-866-951-7665 Fx: 919-787-4224 americanpool.com/nc
American Pool Orlando 4434 Parkway Commerce Blvd., Suite H Orlando, FL 32808 Ph: 407-412-7580 TF: 1-877-920-7665 Fx: 407-412-7582 americanpool.com/orl
4669 Franchise St. North Charleston, SC 29418 Ph: 843-408-0862 TF: 877-920-7665 Fx: 866-954-8518 americanpool.com/sc
American Pool southern New Jersey 189 White Horse Pike Atco, NJ 08004 Ph: 856-767-5159 TF: 1-800-338-5159 Fx: 856-767-8303 americanpool.com/snj
American Pool Virginia 6596 Fleet Drive Alexandria, VA 22310 Ph: 703-579-0885 Fx: 703-822-0049 americanpool.com/va
The American Pool
Family
414 Airport Executive Park Nanuet, NY 10954 Phone: 845.371.5670 ext. 106 Fax. 845.371.5680 americanleisure.com
Of Companies
Poolman (Phoenix)
Headquarters
3242 South Central Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85040 480-991-7970 poolman.com
11515 Cronridge Drive, Suite Q Owings Mills, MD 21117 unitedworkandtravel.com
Ocean City Clearly Poolman 3156 Gertie Barrett Road Mansfield, TX 76063 817-478-2077 poolman.com
2805 N. Philadelphia Avenue, Suite 3 Ocean City, MD 21842 unitedworkandtravel.com
Poolman (San Diego)
Pearl Florida 5641 Division Drive, Suite 2 Fort Myers, FL 33905 239-677-4395 pearlpools.net
Pearl Maryland
9373 Activity Road Suite G San Diego, CA 92126 619-746-6990 poolman.com
Poolman (las vegas) 2375 E Tropicana Ave, PMB 198 Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-263-0021 poolman.com
13761 Travilah Road Rockville, MD 20850 (301) 315-6601 pearlpools.net
Pearl North Carolina 8724 Glenwood Ave, Suite E Raleigh, NC 27617 919-746-7011 pearlpools.net
Pearl South Carolina 7293 Peppermill Parkway North Charleston, SC 29418 843-627-4935 pearlpools.net
200 Airport Exec Park Suite 202 Nanuet, NY 10954 1-877-714-7665 manhattanleisure.com
toronto 24 Martin Ross Avenue Toronto ON M3J 2K8 Tel: 416-665-0410 Toll Free: 1 800-881-1625 Fax: 416-665-6877 www.superiorpool.com
Ottawa 65 Bentley Avenue – Unit 13 Ottawa ON K2E 8B4 Tel: 613-228-1212 Toll Free: 1 855-228-1212 Fax: 613-228-9432 www.superiorpool.com
9305 Gerwig Lane, Suite E Columbia, MD 21046 Phone: 443-367-0138 (Pool) Phone: 301-495-9666 (Fountain) Fax: 301-495-9677 specialtypoolandfountain.com
29 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
American Pool Virginia americanpool.com/apva
I
Client Spotlight
am a former contractor for the last 20 years, and most recently in the last 10 years helped developer, Mark Silverwood, in Arlington — construct and manage three separate properties. None of the properties had a pool, but we have one at Midtown and it’s critical to a satisfactory living experience. I started here in January 2014 with First Service Residential as the Property Manager. I grew up in New Jersey, and my parents had a pool, which at a young age I was responsible for (so I have some previous experience). The pool at Midtown is a very large responsibility, and unfortunately I can’t fill it with concrete. :)
From Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend, the pool is probably the most valuable asset we manage. Systems like fire suppression, and security are 24/7 and are often overlooked by an average homeowner. For any reason, valid or not, if the pool is not available in the summer — all hell could break loose! 2016 will be my third season with American pool at Midtown. Greg Gochoel, Vice President of American Pool Virginia, is a substantial resource for the management of our pool. We work together and to solve big and small issues as they come up. He has my cell phone number and I have his; and when it’s in season we’re both available to each other 24/7. Similar to a teller at a bank, lifeguards are the face of a pool management company. And American pool recruits excellent “customer focused” guards. Safety and pleasantry do not need to be 30 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016
mutually exclusive. But safety must be paramount. Believe it or not, the most important day for a lifeguard is on stormy or rainy days, so that residents don’t swim during lightning storms. I enjoy working with Greg and Mark, they are reliable and help my summer go smoothly.
Bryan Burke MASC Management Group General Manager
T
he Alliance Community Management operating history goes back more than 40 years through our various services. The company was initially conceived to provide accounting services to associations and not-for-profit organizations. In 2002 our focus was redirected to provide community management services for small and mid-sized homeowner and condominium communities. With the acquisition of another successful management company in Loudoun County, ACM has grown to one of the top local management companies in Northern Virginia. We currently manage 18 properties in the Northern Virginia area, and several of our communities have small pools. Our mission for each and every community is to maintain the property value and ensure that the appearance of the community is pristine. American Pool manages the pool at our property at Brookmeade Condominium in Leesburg. They provide us with guard services, maintain the pool and all that goes with keeping the pool in perfect
operating condition. They are a great resource for any questions regarding pool standards and guidelines. This will be the second year with American Pool at our current Association’s pool. It is with great confidence that we enter this second pool season with American at the helm. Their attention to detail and satisfaction is superior and we look forward to working with them with a new 2 year contract. As this pool requires only one guard, we need to make sure that the guard we employ is a good fit for our community. It requires a guard that is able to handle any problems that arise; e.g. enforcing rules and regulations, emergency situations and good communication with the residents of the community. Given there is only one guard, dependability and promptness are a key to a successful fit in this community. American excels on all accounts. Plain and simple — American Pool’s attention to detail, quick response and customer satisfaction sets them a part from others in the industry. American Pool actually listens to what the community requests in the way of pool maintenance and in lifeguarding requirements. They remain flexible to the community’s schedule and needs. They respond quickly to any problems or requests and are always very concerned that they have met our needs and that we are satisfied with their work. It is a pleasure to work with American. Greg Gochoel gives you the confidence that they will take care of all facets of pool operations and will help out with anything we need – and they do! This would be my third year working with Greg and I can honestly say his knowledge and confidence shows through in all areas of pool management. He makes my job easy! I would highly recommend American Pool to anyone who needs a reliable and all-encompassing pool management company. Cynthia Sturke Alliance Community Management Assistant Manager
NOW HIRING! Guard for Life believes that being a lifeguard is more than a job. By getting hired, you can make an impact on your community, develop your skillset and even discover a new career. It's more than a summer by the pool. It's an experience of a lifetime.
Visit guardforlife.com to learn more.
32 Aquatic Leader Magazine | SPRING 2016