5 Questions with the head lifeguard

Ron Boyce, Aquatics Supervisor at the Naden Athletic Centre.

CFB Esquimalt Public Affairs

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Ron Boyce is the Aquatics Supervisor at the Naden Athletic Centre (NAC). Although much of his job involves managing the pool, he also spends much of his time working as a lifeguard. 

What’s an average day on the job?

The lifeguard team starts at 0600 each morning and sets up for the military lap swim. When I get to the pool, I check in with the facility coordinator to get up to date on the day’s operations, and then I’m usually out on the pool deck by 1100. Each day the pool works to support military operations with training sessions and by providing general recreation opportunities.

What’s the most interesting thing that’s happened recently while on the job?

When I started here a year and a half ago, the pool had the same signs as it did when I came here to swim as a child 20 years ago – it was kind of neat. Funny, since coming on, one of the things I’ve done is upgrade all the signs.

What’s something about your job that you wish more people realized?

It was in the news recently, but Canada is currently experiencing a major shortage of qualified lifeguards. Right now, the NAC will be offering both Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross courses in August to get some people trained. It’s a great opportunity both for the NAC and the wider community. We’ve got to do what we can to train new lifeguards and to keep them – water safety is important!

What’s something interesting about yourself?

I placed top three in provincial lifeguarding competitions once. I suppose most people don’t even know there are lifeguarding competitions, but teams of lifeguards from all across B.C. come to compete in them. I remember we were blindfolded in one scenario, and when the blindfolds were taken off, we faced a pool of people who needed different kinds of help. It was a great test of critical thinking alongside first aid and fitness, as how we approached things and what problems we dealt with first were a big part of how well we did in the competition.

Random Question: What would you do to save yourself if you were drowning?

I would go on my back, do a big starfish float to keep my head above the water, and then start shouting for help. If I were close enough to safety, I would try to kick my way over, but staying on your back is important since you float better that way and can conserve more energy.