Year after year I look forward to summer because that means one thing: the pool is open. No, I'm not talking about my own personal pool club or the pool in my backyard, but the pool I work at. I look forward to the email in March about the pool opening. I look forward to May when guards come in and stat setting the pool up. I look forward to the first day when the first member comes in for the first swim of the year. I look forward to the campers and rest of the staff. All in all, I look forward to doing what I love at the place I love with my favorite people. But, if that does not convince you to consider being a lifeguard, here are 14 reasons why you should.

1. The Pool. You get to be at a pool all day which means swimming whenever you want

2. You get tan without even trying. Whether you slather on tanning oil or rub on SPF 100, you will get the inevitable flip flop/guard suit tan.

3. Coffee runs. America doesn't run on Dunkin...Lifeguards do. Being a lifeguard is a perfectly acceptable excuse to being a coffee addict.

4. Who doesn’t love free apparel?! Essentially, your summer wardrobe is a red bathing suit along with matching shorts and t-shirts….all day everyday.

5.You basically get paid to socialize. Pool members often tend to think lifeguards are the most interesting people in the world which leads to hours of conversations and great stories.

6. You get a killer workout. Unstacking and stacking chairs eventually adds up. #armdayeveryday

7. Entertainment. If you are fortunate enough to work at a pool with a camp or a lot of kids, you get all kinds of entertainment. This can vary from them playing with their hair, drawing all over your body or belly flopping just for laughs.

8. Breaks. Lifeguarding comes with a lot of unexpected breaks. One rumble of thunder? BOOM 30 minutes to nap! A crack of lightning? BOOM 45 minutes to watch some Netflix.

10. People watching. Who doesn’t love watching people and creating ridiculous background stories?! It is easily the best way to pass time.

11. FREE FOOD. Enough said.

12. Authority. I don’t know about you but having the authority to actually tell someone what to do and that they HAVE to listen is pretty awesome.

13. Having the ability to save a life.The fact that you are capable of saving a life is pretty awesome

14. Your co-workers. Your co-workers will definitely be the weirdest people you meet but by the end of the summer your co-workers will not only be your best friends, but your family.