Get All Access for $5/mo

A Life-Threatening Summer Shortage Led to This Side Hustle for Seniors — No Electronic Devices Required The gig does pay, of course — but for these seniors, it's not all about the money.

By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas

Key Takeaways

  • Facing a lifeguard shortage, New York City's Parks Department expanded its recruitment to include older swimmers.
  • Four rookie lifeguards over the age of 64 enrolled in the "notoriously" difficult training program this summer.

The U.S. is grappling with a national lifeguard shortage this summer — and New York City is dipping into an unusual talent pool.

Four rookie lifeguards over age 64 enrolled in the "notoriously challenging training program" this summer after the Parks Department broadened its recruitment approach, The New York Times reported.

Related: You May Have Fewer Options to Wade in the Water This Summer as Thousands of Lifeguard Chairs Are Left Unoccupied

In May, the Parks Department said it had hired and certified fewer than 500 lifeguards and hoped to have 900 by the time outdoor pools opened at the end of June, per Gothamist. According to the NYT, the number stands at 800 today.

The senior lifeguards will earn more than $21 an hour, but money aside, they're embracing the opportunity to positively impact their community — and having fun doing it.

"I love it," 69-year-old Daniel Kalmann, who'd quit his job as a bicycle tour guide and cut back on his credit-card processing business before picking up his whistle, told the NYT. "No device on me, just looking, looking, looking."

Related: Retiree Starts Side Hustle Out of Boredom - It Now Pulls $3K a Week

New York City's senior lifeguards are part of a growing number of older adults in the workforce. Roughly one in six retired Americans is considering getting a job, according to a recent study from Paychex.
Amanda Breen

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Features Writer

Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Solutions

Let Your Projects Shine with MS Project 2021 Pro for Just $19.97

Improve efficiency and visibility with built-in reporting and tracking.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Science & Technology

Old Data Systems Are Holding Businesses Captive — Here are 7 Reasons to Embrace Modern Data Architectures

Discover why modern data architectures are essential for leveraging AI and big data. From scalability and real-time analytics to improved security and cost efficiency, explore the key benefits driving today's data strategies.

Data & Recovery

Professionals Can Securely Organize Their Files With This Cloud Storage Solution

Koofr Cloud Storage allows you to keep all of your important files in one secure place.

Leadership

Rude, Uncivil Behavior Destroys Productivity and Drives Turnover — Here's How to Foster a Respectful Work Environment

Discussing the negative impact of uncivil behavior in the workplace and how to ensure civility on your team.