By Will Schubert ’15
THE ROUNDUP

Alex Fankhauser ’15 becomes one of Brophy’s first student lifeguards with the opening of the new Aquatic Center last fall.

Fankhauser started lifeguarding around three years ago and has since developed a passion for it. He received his certification when he was 15 and has worked at Deer Valley Pool for the past three summers.

Fankhauser started doing aquatic safety programs when he was eight years old and went through a lot of programs until he took his certification course.

Starting late last August, students were able to swim in the Aquatic Center during their lunch break. That meant there was a need for an experienced lifeguard.

Assistant Athletic Director Mr. Brad Shear contacted Fankhauser last summer to ask him if he would become a student lifeguard. Fankhauser accepted the offer.

Fankhauser lifeguards three days a week and is paid $12 an hour to do it.

“A lot of people do not follow the rules so I have to work hard to keep them in line, but besides that it’s been uneventful, which is definitely a good thing,” Fankhauser said.

Chase Worthington ’15 started swimming with his friends in the pool early last September and played games such as doing diving board tricks and swimming races.

“Sometimes he gets a little bit angry but he is by far the most laid back and enjoyable of the lifeguards,” Worthington said.

Fankhauser watched over Worthington and his friends who swam in the pool a few times a week during their lunch period.

“For the most part its just flips off the diving board, playing games, and having a good time,” Fankhauser said.

There have been no accidents so far under Fankhauser’s watch and he said he hopes to keep it that way.

Fankhauser stopped lifeguarding during the winter due to the cold weather but he said that he will resume his lifeguard duties this spring and looks forward to doing it.