Today is International Lifeguard Appreciation Day

OCEAN CITY, Md. – International Lifeguard Appreciation Day celebrates the dedicated lifeguards who ensure safety at beaches, pools, and water parks. Many consider these attendants the heart and soul of any water facility.

On Thursday, lifeguards are getting the recognition they deserve for all their hard work. Captain Butch Arbin of Ocean City’s Beach Patrol calls them critical.

“Nationally and internationally, thousands of people die from drowning because they are swimming at unguarded beaches, so the lifeguard really makes the difference.”

According to Arbin, rip currents are one of the most dangerous weather-related causes of death in the country. Katie Zgorski, one of his veteran guards, explains why she became a lifeguard.

“New Zealand was an awesome experience. I had not guarded internationally before.”

She calls it completely different from saving lives in the United States.

“International guarding is so much different. They have different protocols and different styles of guarding. We kind of sit across the whole beach and let people swim where they want. They have a flag system there, and a lot of their beaches are much more remote,” Zgorski said.

Zgorski hopes people will approach their local lifeguard and offer a simple “hello” and “thank you.”

For more information on how to get involved click here.