Date: Fri 18-Jul-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

lifeguard-Kasbarian-Martins

Full Text:

Heat Wave: Head Lifeguards Keep Alert As Residents Crowd Park Pools

(with photos)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

With the thermometer soaring into the '90s this week, Newtown residents have

been flocking to the pools at Dickinson and Treadwell parks.

The water can be a fun but dangerous place, and the Newtown Parks & Recreation

Department is very serious when choosing its lifeguards.

"Being a lifeguard is probably one of the most responsible jobs I can think

of, especially this summer," said P&R Director Barbara Kasbarian.

This summer, Mrs Kasbarian has placed that responsibility into the hands of

two former Newtown High School students, who are more than up to the task.

Sean Martins heads the lifeguard staff at Dickinson, and Jamie Gardner rules

poolside at Treadwell. Both have been wearing the lifeguard colors here in

town for nearly half their lives. They both graduated from Newtown High School

in 1994 and are heading into their senior years in college. Sean's at the

University of Connecticut after returning from a year of study in Copenhagen.

Jamie's at Indiana University in Pennsylvania.

From their perches, the two top-flight swimmers make sure that every inch of

their respective pools is being monitored. While both lifeguards say they are

always prepared for an emergency, they take every step needed to ensure that

things don't go wrong.

"The last thing you ever want to do is actually go into the water. We haven't

had to so I guess we've done a pretty good job," said Sean.

Of course, there have already been a handful of "99s" where a parent has

approached a lifeguard because she cannot find her child. That's when either

Sean or Jamie blows the whistle to start the well-planned rescue drills. Not a

minute is wasted as the pool is emptied and a search is conducted. Of course,

almost always, according to Jamie, mom finds junior over by the sandbox. The

lifeguards have to be prepared for the big one, however, and they are

constantly honing their skills.

Both head lifeguards jokingly claim to have the more difficult pool to cover.

While Sean's trusted staff has a larger area to oversee (Dickinson's pool is

more like a pond), Jamie says Treadwell's crowds are more dense because the

pool is small. And, she said, her pool has a diving board, attracting the

older kids.

"That causes added stress for us," she said.

The key to being a good lifeguard, according to both Sean and Jamie, is to

always be alert and never take your eyes off the water.

"If I walk up behind a chair and call out the lifeguard's name, that person

should respond without ever turning around to look at me. The eyes always need

to be on the water," Sean noted.

In mid-August, the two park staffs plan to team up for a sort of lifeguard

Olympic competition in Norwalk. There, teams will compete in many of the same

competitions seen on Baywatch , including ocean swimming and land running.

Sean's assistant is his younger sister, Heather. Last year, there was a trio

of Martins kids manning the pool shores as older brother Ray also joined the

mix.

Christine Foster is the assistant at Treadwell.