Danny Cantenero

Meet Dan Cantenero- Lifeguard

Dan has loved the water since a kid and decided to make a living out of it. Ever since high school, Dan would work out in the water and swim constantly to stay in shape. But his coach saw that he was so good at it, that he might want to make a living out of swimming. “My coach told me that I should take the test to become a licensed lifeguard,” says Dan. “So I worked hard and took about 16 classes to learn the basics and got my license from New York City to be a lifeguard.”

Dan loves his job because he is a natural at helping people. So it never really feels like work when he is there with his other coworkers, who also love the job. But he also values the importance and difficulties of the job – specifically the need for more support, including more people wanting to become lifeguards. “We lack people because lifeguarding is not high paying job starting out,” says Dan. “Additionally, a lot of people really don’t know how to swim. Equipment is also hard to come by which can be vital in helping people. Even though we get a decent amount of bandages, alcohol pads, band aids etc., they quickly run out and it’s hard for us to get more money from the city to supply our needs.”

Thanks for giving your time and energy to the people Dan!

If you want more about the lifeguard lifestyle, Dan is always open to chatting! Follow him on IG @ T3kluh.