Man, what a day! I swear, being a lifeguard in Dalkey is like riding a rollercoaster. One minute you’re chillin’, the next you’re dodging drama like it’s a game of dodgeball. So, let me take ya through this wild ride.
I rolled into work at the beach, right? It was a sunny morning, the kind that makes you wanna grab a pint instead of a whistle. Dalkey’s got this vibe, ya know? The sea was glistening, and the smell of salt was in the air. I parked my bike on Castle Street, right by the little café. They make the best scones, but I didn’t have time for that. Duty calls!
First thing I noticed was the crowd. Like, seriously, it was packed! Families everywhere, kids screaming, and dogs running around like they own the place. I was stationed near the diving board, keeping an eye on the little ones. You know how it is—kids think they’re invincible.
Then, outta nowhere, I see this kid, maybe 10 or so, trying to impress his friends. He climbs up the diving board like he’s some kind of superhero. I’m like, “Dude, chill!” But nah, he jumps, and I swear, it was like watching a slow-motion train wreck. He belly-flops harder than I’ve ever seen. The splash was epic! Everyone laughed, even me. But then, he comes up, and he’s crying. Ugh, poor kid. I had to go over and give him a pep talk. “Hey, man, you’re still a champ!”
After that, things got a bit crazy. I spotted this group of teenagers on the rocks by Coliemore Harbour. They were taking selfies, acting all cool. But then, one of ‘em slips! I’m like, “Oh no, not today!” I sprint over, heart racing. Luckily, he just got a wet foot, but man, I was ready to dive in.
Then, I had this old lady come up to me. She was all frazzled, waving her arms like she was conducting an orchestra. Turns out, her dog, a little terrier named Max, had run off. I felt for her, so I helped her look. We searched all over, from the Vico Road to the little park by the beach. Finally, we found Max chasing seagulls like he was on a mission. The lady was so happy, she almost cried. I felt like a hero for a sec.
But then, the day took a turn. This guy, I swear, he was like a walking disaster. He starts arguing with his girlfriend right by the water. I’m trying to keep an eye on the swimmers, but these two are going at it. I’m thinking, “Dude, save it for later!” But nope, they’re yelling, and I’m just standing there, awkwardly.
Finally, I had to step in. “Hey, can you take it down a notch? We’re at the beach, not a boxing ring!” They looked at me like I was crazy, but hey, I’m just doing my job. They calmed down, and I went back to my post, feeling like a referee.
As the sun started to set, the sky turned this insane shade of orange. I love Dalkey sunsets. It’s like the whole place is on fire, but in a good way. I took a moment to breathe it all in. The waves crashing, the laughter, the smell of fish and chips from the nearby stalls. It’s moments like these that make the chaos worth it.
But just when I thought the day was winding down, I saw a little girl struggling to stay afloat. My heart dropped. I jumped in without thinking. The water was freezing, but I didn’t care. I reached her just in time. “I got you!” I said, pulling her to safety. Her parents were freaking out, but she was just giggling. Kids, man.
After that, I was exhausted. I packed up my stuff, ready to head home. I rode my bike back through the streets of Dalkey, feeling like I’d just run a marathon. But you know what? I wouldn’t trade it for anything. This place, the people, the craziness—it’s all part of the job.
So yeah, that was my day. Just another wild, emotional ride in Dalkey. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!