Above: Paige Goemer is working on her favorite tower.
Paige Goemer has been a Newport Beach lifeguard since she was 16 years old. I sat down with Paige and we discussed her most intense rescue, the challenges she has faced as a female guard and everything in between.
Q: Hi Paige! Thank you for being here. Let's start by having you tell us a little bit about yourself.
A: Hi! Thanks for having me. My name is Paige Goemer and I am 20 years old. I have been a Newport Beach Lifeguard for five years now. Three years were spent in the Junior Lifeguard program and two years were on the towers. Before becoming a lifeguard, I was a Junior Lifeguard for the city of Newport Beach for two years and for the city of Laguna Beach for an additional two years. Also, I am currently a full-time student at San Diego State University.
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
A: My favorite part of the job is hands down the people that work there. We are all so close and have such a great time with each other. I've met all of my best friends through lifeguarding. The community is such a work-hard/party-hard crew. Everyone loves adrenaline, the ocean, staying active, and having a good time. This makes it such an enjoyable place to work at. The tanning while at work is an obvious plus, as well as discounts at many surf shops, but nothing will beat the community of lifeguards that have nothing but respect for each other.
Q: What is your least favorite part of the job?
A: My least favorite part of the job is when people don’t take female guards seriously and think they can walk all over us. It is also very frustrating when other lifeguards get way too comfortable and don’t take their jobs seriously. This makes the job more difficult for the guards working next to them. When tower guards are slacking on the job, other lifeguards and the public are put in danger. Plus, it doesn’t create a trustworthy relationship.
Q: What was your most memorable day on duty?
A: My most memorable day was probably the first time I ever worked at Wedge. It was 15-20 feet and I was the lifeguard giving the main guard their break. I had just turned 17, so it was very intense. Thankfully, I did not have any rescues. I have had many crazy days, but the first time working Wedge will always be a stand-out day in any guard’s life.
Q: What was your most intense rescue?
A: The most intense rescue I had was actually a series of rescues. I had four in one day. The waves were six to eight feet with occasional 10-foot sets. There was a swimmer who got swept out and barely knew how to swim. Another swimmer almost washed up on the jetty. I then had back-to-back boat rescues with multiple victims. That was the most intense and eventful day of lifeguarding, as every single tower guard had many crazy rescues.
Q: I know lifeguarding is a very physically tiring job. How do you maintain your fitness?
A: I maintain my fitness by working out every day and by eating very healthy. Also, I ride my bike often. I ride my bike to class and sometimes to work. I try to swim as much as possible, but I usually just surf. I compete in lifeguard competitions over the summer. The most recent competition I competed in was a 24-mile run and a three-mile swim race along the coast. During the school year, I run, go to the gym, and water ski. I love being active, especially at the beach. I see myself continuing my beach runs, ocean swims, and surfing for the rest of my life.
Q: What is your favorite tower to work at?
A: My favorite tower to work on is 56 because I get all the unit love. I get to watch some of the best surfing in all of Newport, and I have had some great rescues there.
Q: How do you stay focused on the tower?
A: It can be very hard to stay focused if it is a super slow day. The best way to stay focused is to listen to music or podcasts. Also, I like to give my flankers a ring on the tower phone. Doing an ab or push-up workout every once in a while is never a bad idea. I also constantly remind myself that my main task is to watch the water! Also, a lifeguard favorite is chewing sunflower seeds.
Q: What are some essentials for a workday?
A: Essentials for a workday include a ton of water, a lunch, and usually a good amount of caffeine. I am required to wear my uniform (red Jolyn bikini for me), fins, binoculars, a snorkeling mask (in case of a missing swimmer), and sunglasses. I also bring sunscreen, a towel, my jacket, and extra hair ties. Sunscreen is free and stored at headquarters. A lot of my coworkers bring a speaker and a portable charger as well. Additionally, everyone brings a change of clothes or suit for our breaks. We are not allowed to show up to work in uniform.
Q: Please describe the hiring process.
A: The process of getting hired starts with a sign-up in Jan./Feb. for the tryouts in Feb. The tryout consists of a 1000-meter swim, starting at 28th street. The swim goes around the jetty and around the pier, ending at 20th street. Then it is a 1000 meter run-swim-run from 19th to 18th. You must swim past the surfline and back to 19th, then run to 20th. When I tried out the water was in the mid 50’s. Around 70 people tried out, and they only took 30. The number of people they hire varies every year. It just depends on how many people they need that year. The next step is an interview with three of the captains, a background check, and a drug test. After passing all three, you are then enrolled in the five-week training program. The training is from nine to five every Saturday and Sunday, and from six to nine on Wednesdays. During the training, there are physical competitions to test your strength in the water and on the sand. There are also written and simulation tests. In addition, you must become CPR-certified and EMR-certified. On the final day, you have four simulation tests and a 100-question written test. Every year the test is different to ensure no one knows what they are walking into. Then, depending on how well or poorly you did during training, you are assigned to work in the towers in D1, D2, D3, or as a cadet. Training for my class was a lot as we were all still in high school, so we had our regular school work on top of the extensive studying for guards. We all also had water polo practice every day. None of us needed to train for the physical tests, but for the written tests and simulations especially.
Q: What is the overview of a day on duty from start to finish?
A: When I arrive at work, I unlock the tower and call in on the phone to state that I'm at work. Then, I change into my suit and take out the chairs, cones, and buoy. The buoy lets the public and other lifeguards know that you are on the tower. If a buoy is not clipped on the tower that means that the lifeguard is gone. Next, I put up the appropriate flag and take the shutters off. Shortly after, a unit comes to check on me. At this time, I let them know if I have everything that I need for the day, such as Travel John's and first aid supplies. Once the unit checks on me, I call my flankers to say hello and get on the same page for the day. I usually stretch and do a light ab workout at the beginning of my shift. For the remainder of the day, my main job is to watch the water. During my shifts, I also reapply sunscreen, drink water, sweep the tower, and talk to my flankers and the public about the conditions. Depending on the day, I make five to 200 prevents. A prevent is when a lifeguard tells a swimmer that they are in a position to be harmed or possibly drown. It is important to make as many prevents as possible to ensure nothing dangerous or harmful happens. Every time I make a prevent, rescue, or public contact, I have to call headquarters. Headquarters records all of the stats.
Q: What are your qualifications?
A: I am CPR and EMR certified. Also, I was a high school and collegiate D1 water polo player. Plus, I have spent my entire life around the ocean.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share?
A: I will add that as glorious the job sounds, and sometimes is, it is a very important part of all first responders. We have had a lifeguard of our own die on duty, and many guards have to deal with dead bodies or people on the verge of death. We are the only first responders who are on the scene during the accident. Everyone else is called after the fact. It is the most rewarding job I have ever had and probably will ever have. Every other job that I’ve had so far hasn’t even come close to lifeguarding, and I'm not sure if I will ever find one that does. If you love the ocean, are a good swimmer, and are tough, you should absolutely try out and push yourself to do things that you never thought you could.
Q: Thanks for sharing, Paige!
A: My pleasure!
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