Lifeguard: A serious job

WESLACO - A slogan from the American Red Cross hangs at the Weslaco Municipal swimming pool for all to see.
"A job so hot, it's cool."

This summer, 12 young lifeguards will be living that motto.

Most admit they love it, but all agree that they bear a huge responsibility as lifeguards.

Manager Rick Montavo said each lifeguard must go through a two week training course, during which potential lifeguards must prove their mastery of the water in both physical and written tests.

While most of the lifeguards at the pool are young men and women, Montalvo said it is not uncommon to have older lifeguards on duty.

"It's whoever is interested in life guarding," Montavo said. "Lifeguards are in demand right now."  

In order to properly care for all swimmers, Montavo has his 12 lifeguards follow four basic rules to keep them focused.
Some life guards work as many as 50 hours a week from teaching kids how to swim early in the morning till at night where many parties take place.

Lifeguard Alyssa Cobarrubias and friend Laura Loya, both of La Feria, have been swimming since they were young children. Both took swimming lessons growing up and eventually enrolled into junior lifeguard training before they were hired in Weslaco. Cobarrubias, 21, has worked at the pool since 2003 and said the job was a great alternative to flipping burgers.

"It's the most laid back job I've ever had," Cobarrubias said.

Putting up with the uncomfortably hot temperatures comes with the territory, but Cobarrubias has learned to tolerate the heat.

"I try to stay away from the sun as much as possible," Cobarrubias said. "I'll go (hide) under the umbrella."
Lifeguard Alex Loya, 18, said he also struggles with the sun.

 "I'm black as a charcoal," he said.

Loya said he originally had no intention to serve as a lifeguard, but added that he came to love the job as he continued to work hard at the pool.

"I enjoy every minute of it," he said. "It's a really big responsibility. Some of us are here from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. You go home really tired, but I think it's worth it."