Michigan Lifeguards: Where Did They All Go? 1940s-1960s

Where did all the lifeguards go?

I remember going to the beach when I was a kid – Portage Lake, to be exact – and there was usually a lifeguard on duty...you know, someone to save you from drowning.

The lifeguard would sit atop a tall lookout tower that reached an average of 14 feet. Up there, he could get a better scope of what was going on in the water.

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How many movies, TV shows or photos have you seen of a lifeguard sitting on his tower, wearing a shade hat, sunglasses, tank top and shorts with a megaphone by his side, ready to yell at any rowdy boys bothering sunbathers? And down below at the tower base were a bevy of bikini-clad girls, all swooning and vying for his attention, claiming they need a little "mouth-to-mouth resuscitation"? That was how we were given the impression of lifeguards.

In fact, most high school boys could not wait for summer vacation so they could apply as lifeguard at one of Michigan’s beaches. Public swimming pools had lifeguards, too, but the atmosphere was not as cool as the beach.

So where are Michigan’s lifeguards?

According to michigan.gov “there are no beach guards (or life guards) at state parks, so never swim alone and always keep a close watch over children.”

Wait...that’s it?
Not quite.

On May 19, the South Haven City Council met and made a resolution for a lifeguard program...but not until 2026. If this passes, maybe other Michigan beaches will start bringing back lifeguards. What red-blooded American high school boy or girl wouldn’t want to give it a shot?

For the time being, it’s believed their current modes of safety are sufficient: life jackets, buoys, beach flags, and signs. But no – bring back lifeguards.