STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK AND MARGARET KRAFT

When Bruce Shahbaz retired to Sun Valley following a 23-year career as an army medic in 2020, the Wood River Community YMCA became his foundation for meeting people and building community.

He in particular enjoyed the swimming it offered because, he says, the Army “is not kind on your body.”

So, when swimming director Margaret Kraft told him they had to cancel swim team practice because the lifeguard called in sick, he sprang into action. He took the test necessary to get certified as a lifeguard, and he volunteered to fill in for the staff when they couldn’t be there.

Volunteer lifeguards like Shahbaz are needed now as the Y seeks to keep the pool open amidst a shortage of lifeguards.

The popular indoor pool had a full staff of college students during summer, but the Y has had trouble filling the vacancies six students left when school started this fall, said Kraft. The Y needs two guards to open the lap pool and spa, three guards to open the lap and splash pool, and four to open the lap, splash and waterslide, she said.

“Retirees are keeping the pool afloat,” she said. “I am desperate as we do not under any circumstances open the pool without two guards on duty. We need 15 parttime staff to keep me from staying awake at night.”

The pool is a bustling place year-round. Kraft estimates it gets 80 lap swimmers a day. In addition, there are about 20 swimmers on the SB5B swim team, as well as 30 on the Swordfish swim team and additional swimmers on the high school team.

The pool hosts deep and shallow water aerobics and opportunities for families with young children to use the splash pool. This fall the Y is also hosting students from The Space afterschool tutoring and enrichment program, who have included swimming in their activities.

“I had eight swimmers on the swim team when I started. Now we have 30. And one of the original swim team members is now a lifeguard,” said Kraft. “Right now, we’re open Monday through Saturday; our goal has always been to be open on Sunday.”

The Y is recruiting lifeguards, offering students flexible time, letting them bring homework they can do during slack times and time off for dentist appointments, Homecoming dances and Prom. Full-time lifeguards make $42,000 a year plus insurance and paid time off; part-time lifeguards get a Y membership, in addition to pay.

One Sage School student counts his lifeguard work towards community service hours.

Volunteer lifeguards, who get paid $15 an hour for insurance purposes, usually cover three-hour shifts. They must get Red Cross certification and take a swim test.

“They are amazing people and so incredibly loyal to the Y,” said Kraft. “One, Annette Brake, retired from the Internal Revenue Service and has worked for me since 2018. She started out telling me she was retired and didn’t want to work many hours. She is now a lifeguard, lifeguard instructor, swimming instructor and coach.”

Shahbaz has found his work as a lifeguard rewarding.

“When I was in the Army, I moved 12 times in 23 years. The Army creates community for you. When you leave, you need to find another community. This is my opportunity to give back to the community, and it is nice to feel like I’m part of the community,” said Shahbaz, who also is sharing his experiences as an Army medic at Wood River High School on Veterans Day for Higher Ground.

Based on need, Shahbaz might help out a couple days a work, being careful not to take the shift of a young person who needs the money.

He is often flanked by his friend Keith Bailey, a retired chemical engineer with the pharmaceutical company Merck, who spent more than 30 years in Philadelphia before retiring to Sun Valley.

“Bruce and my brother Doke and I go to Sawtooth Brewery Monday nights for Mug Club discounts and we hang out at La Cabanita Friday afternoons when we can sit outside during warm weather.  Bruce mentioned the Y needed help because he knew my brother and I used to be lifeguards and swim instructors. We agreed with the caveat that we don’t guard on Mug Club night or Friday afternoons during summer. And I do plan to ski so I have to work around that during winter,” Bailey said.

Shahbaz enjoys that he’s able to provide a second set of eyes, spotting little things he can relay to the swim coaches to help team young athlete improve their time.

“It’s very rewarding, as there’s a great group of people at the Y and in the pool,” he said. “I’m largely making sure swimmers follow the rules so no one gets hurt. Children get excited and start to run, and they could slip and get hurt. I watch the swimmers to make sure no one’s getting in over their heads. And it’s fun watching the swim team—they’re phenomenal swimmers.”

Want to make a splash yourself? Call or email Margaret Kraft at mkraft@woodriverymca.org or 208-928-6707.