Why Event Promoters Need Professional Lifeguards, Not “Eye Candy”
Every year without fail, our phones ring with inquiries from event promoters looking to hire lifeguards for poolside events. While the volume picks up around the holidays—especially Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties—this problem is not seasonal. It’s year-round.
From summer pool parties and music festivals to spring break gatherings and corporate events, we constantly hear the same troubling requests. And while most promoters call with genuine safety concerns, a certain type of inquiry always raises red flags—and, frankly, tests our patience. There is one request that always puts us off and we will not entertain the inquiry.
The Infamous “Hottest Guy or Girl” Request
It usually sounds something like this:
“Yeah, can you send over the hottest guy or girl you’ve got to be a lifeguard for our party?”
As soon as we hear those words—or anything like them—we know exactly what’s going on. What we’re really hearing is:
“We don’t actually care if this person is trained to save lives. We want someone attractive to stand by the pool for atmosphere.”
And that’s where the problem lies. Too many promoters view lifeguards as part of the décor which is insulting, when in reality, they are the first line of defense against tragedy.
Golden State Lifeguards Is Not a Modeling Agency!!
Let’s make this clear: we are not in the business of supplying “models in swimsuits” and we are steadfast in our position.
Golden State Lifeguards employs real, professional lifeguards—men and women who have spent countless hours training in pools, on beaches, and in medical scenarios. They are prepared to act when seconds matter, whether that’s pulling someone from the water or performing CPR until paramedics arrive.
Our lifeguards are not accessories. They are lifesavers!!
The Hollywood Effect
We can thank Hollywood for much of the public confusion. From Baywatch to the more recent Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson film, lifeguards have been portrayed as glamorous figures whose primary role is to look good running in slow motion.
That may make for great television, but it undermines the reality: lifeguards are highly trained safety professionals. Unfortunately, some promoters carry this pop culture stereotype into real life, expecting us to supply “Baywatch types” instead of professional lifeguards.
The Dangers of Hiring “Fake Lifeguards” over professional lifeguards
What happens when an event promoter decides to hire “eye candy” instead of professionals?
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A guest slips unnoticed into the pool.
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A cardiac arrest occurs on deck.
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A fight breaks out, leaving someone seriously injured.
If the so-called “lifeguards” are just models in red trunks, they won’t know what to do. Panic sets in. Time is wasted. And emergency response is delayed.
Here are the facts:
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Cardiac arrest victims have 2–3 minutes for CPR to be initiated. After 4–6 minutes without intervention, survival rates plummet.
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Fire/EMS response in Los Angeles averages 5–7 minutes, often longer with traffic or weather delays.
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Without trained lifeguards on scene, those crucial minutes are lost—and lives can be lost with them.
And when lawsuits follow, the promoter who cut corners will be the one answering for it. We have heard many stories and event promoters at the end of the day get burned on this one!
Not Just a Holiday Problem
While we see a spike in these “eye candy” requests around the holidays, it doesn’t stop there.
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Summer: private pool parties, yacht charters, and music events.
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Spring: spring break gatherings and graduation parties.
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Fall/Winter: corporate events, production sets, and high-end holiday parties.
The setting may change, but the problem remains: promoters valuing appearance over safety.
Our Message to Promoters & Event Professionals
Golden State Lifeguards has built its reputation on professionalism and maturity. We take safety seriously, 365 days a year.
If you want “fake lifeguards,” Craigslist is full of them. But if you want trained, experienced, and reliable safety personnel (professional lifeguards) who can handle emergencies when seconds matter, call us.
Because no matter the season, no matter the event, we will always prioritize lives over looks.
This is not just a holiday issue. It’s a year-round problem—and one that we will never compromise on.
Whether it’s December or July, lifeguards are not props. They are safety professionals. And your guests deserve nothing less.