LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky Kingdom is celebrating its large staff of lifeguards.
Monday was “International Lifeguard Appreciation Day,” but the amusement park known for Hurricane Bay is saying “thank you” all week.
Hot summer days make you grateful for having a poolside job, but on any given day, visitors to Kentucky Kingdom’s Hurricane Bay are thankful lifeguards like Jessica Rodgers are on duty.
“We have lifeguards on stands just to ensure guests aren’t horse playing in the water and to ensure that no one is drowning,” Rodgers said during a tour of the water park.
Rodgers is a senior supervisor of the aquatics department and has five years of experience as a lifeguard. She knows every inch of the water park like the back of her hand.
“I’ve come back every summer and I’ve loved it ever since,” Rodgers said.
Kentucky Kingdom hosted a staff swim night recently, which was a hit for Rodgers and the other lifeguards.
“It’s basically like a huge celebration for them, so they understand how much we appreciate them,” Rodgers said.
Each lifeguard at Kentucky Kingdom is trained in emergency care, AED use, first aid and blood and airborne pathogen prevention. Staff is always looking out for each other too.
Coworkers commonly check on their colleagues on hot days, Rodgers said, delivering water and popsicles.
Juan Ligarredo is nearing the end of his first season as a lifeguard and is proud to be on the team. When we asked what his favorite part of the job is, Ligarredo said, “the people.”
The summer season is winding down and Hurricane Bay will soon shift to weekend only hours. As Rodgers prepares to return to Florida State University, she carries a lot of training with her whether or not she’s officially on duty.
“I’ve not only gained a lot of skills like working here as a job, as a lifeguard, I’ve gained a lot of leadership skills as well that I apply to my positions down at school and all the organizations I’m involved in there,” Rodgers said confidently.
Even though summer break is nearing an end, quality lifeguards are always in demand. International Lifeguard Appreciation Day was launched by Ellis & Associates in 2020 to say “thank you” to lifeguards around the world.