Man, what a day! I swear, being a lifeguard in Grodzisk-Mazowiecki is like riding a rollercoaster. So, I roll up to the pool at around 9 AM, right? The sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m thinking, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First off, I’m stationed at the main pool on ul. Piaskowa. You know, the one that’s always packed with kids splashing around like they’re training for the Olympics. I’m just getting my sunscreen on when I see this kid, like, maybe 10 years old, trying to dive off the side. I’m like, “Dude, chill! You’re not Michael Phelps!” But he jumps anyway. Classic.
So, I’m watching him, and suddenly, he belly flops. Ouch! The sound was like a slap. I can’t help but laugh. But then, his little sister starts crying. I mean, come on! It’s just a belly flop! But I guess when you’re 7, that’s a big deal. I rush over, give her a high-five, and say, “Your bro’s a champ!” She giggles, and I’m like, “Crisis averted.”
Then, outta nowhere, this group of teenagers shows up. They’re blasting music from a portable speaker. Like, really? We’re at a pool, not a rave! I’m trying to keep the vibe chill, but they’re all over the place, splashing water, yelling, and just being loud. I’m thinking, “Can’t a lifeguard catch a break?”
But then, one of them, this girl with bright pink hair, starts doing backflips. I’m like, “Okay, that’s kinda cool.” But then she lands awkwardly and goes under. My heart drops. I jump in, fully clothed, and pull her out. She’s coughing and laughing at the same time. I’m like, “Girl, you scared me!” She just winks and says, “All part of the show!” Ugh, kids these days.
By noon, I’m sweating buckets. I grab a quick snack from the kiosk on ul. 1 Maja. They’ve got the best ice cream, no joke. I’m chowing down on a cone when I see a commotion near the diving board. Some dude is trying to impress his girlfriend. He climbs up, does this ridiculous pose, and then slips. I’m like, “Not again!” He falls right into the shallow end. Everyone gasps, but he pops up like a seal, laughing. I can’t even.
Later, I’m on break, just chilling on a bench near ul. Sienkiewicza, when I spot an old lady walking her dog. The dog’s dragging her, and she’s yelling, “Lolek, slow down!” I’m cracking up. I mean, who names their dog Lolek? But then, I see her struggle, and I’m like, “I should help.” So, I jog over, and she’s super grateful. We chat about the weather, and she tells me about the best places to grab pierogi in town. I’m taking notes, for real.
The day drags on, and I’m starting to feel like a zombie. But then, around 4 PM, this little girl comes up to me. She’s got a big smile and says, “You’re my hero!” I’m like, “Me? Nah, just doing my job.” But inside, I’m beaming. It’s moments like that that make it all worth it.
As the sun starts to set, I’m packing up. I look around at the pool, the kids laughing, the families enjoying their time. Grodzisk-Mazowiecki is buzzing, and I’m just a small part of it. I think about how lucky I am to be here, even on the craziest days.
So yeah, that was my day. Full of belly flops, backflips, and a dog named Lolek. Can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow!