There are two things every lifeguard needs to have while working at Great Wolf Lodge. A bathing suit and, more importantly, a whistle. “If you don’t have a whistle, you get yelled at,” said Zach Ray, 17. “It’s the one requirement besides a bathing suit.”

There are several whistle alerts the lifeguards need to know before they can work a pool location.

One short whistle alerts the pool guests. Two short whistles alerts the other lifeguards. One long whistle alerts the other guards that a guard is jumping into the pool. Two long whistles alerts the other guards that assistance is needed.
 

“You have to jump in every now and then,” Ray said.
Great Wolf Lodge supplies all the training and certifications needed to become a lifeguard, said Ty Weber, Great Wolf’s director of aquatics.

There are 60 full- and part time lifeguards at Great Wolf. The number swells during the summer months and holiday seasons. Several of the lifeguards are seasonal workers who return home from college during breaks.

“We usually have a spot for them,” Weber said.

There are 10 locations inside the indoor waterpark that the workers guard. They rotate positions every 30-40 minutes, keeping them vigilant and alert.

“Plus you don’t want to stare at the same pool for five hours straight,” Ray said.

On Thursday, Ray headed to work right after school. He was the first lifeguard to show up for the day’s evening shift, which means he got first pick of pool locations.

Before the rides are open to the public, the lifeguards test them to make sure everything is in order. Ray opted out Thursday while the other guards took their turns. He didn’t stay dry for long. A toy babydoll was released down a slide while he was guarding a post. Ray hopped in to rescue it.

The toy is part of Great Wolf’s training to ensure the guards are paying attention and know what to do, Weber said.
Ray said the best part about being a lifeguard is the interaction with the guests. The hardest part is deciphering who is swimming under water and who is actually drowning.