From Learning to Swim to Saving Lives: How Waterproofing Turned New Swimmers to Lifeguards When They Were Needed Most
For decades, Asphalt Green’s Waterproofing program has provided free water safety and swim instruction to thousands of New Yorkers.
For many participants, Waterproofing is the first step in a lifelong aquatics journey. At Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics (AGUA), learning to swim isn’t simply about mastering a life-saving skill—it’s about opening the door to a lifetime of health, joy, opportunity, and community through the water.
No one embodies that mission more than some of Asphalt Green’s lifeguards.
Alfonzo Gonzalez, Leif Lopez, Wendy Candia, Nico Bernier, and Vanessa Monzon all participated in Waterproofing as high school students through a partnership with their schools. They progressed through the program’s full aquatics pathway—building confidence in the water, refining their swimming skills, preparing for lifeguard certification, and ultimately becoming certified lifeguards. Today, they work on the pool deck as lifeguards, helping the next generation of students build the same confidence and skills that shaped their own journeys.
Their stories demonstrate how investing in swim education can create not only safer swimmers, but meaningful opportunities for young people while strengthening the communities they serve.
How Waterproofing Turned Swimmers to Lifeguards
For Waterproofing swimmers who develop a passion for the water, the journey doesn’t end after mastering the basics. Through AGUA, students can continue building their swimming skills while discovering new ways to stay connected to the sport.
For high school students, that includes the opportunity to become a certified lifeguard… Participants receive additional lifeguard training, earn their American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification at no cost, and receive support preparing for interviews for lifeguard positions. By removing barriers to certification, Asphalt Green helps build confident swimmers into lifeguards ready to make a difference on the pool deck.
Waterproofing is best known for providing free swim instruction to students from communities that lack access, helping them develop essential water safety and swimming skills. Building on that foundation, we expanded the program to offer free lifeguard certification courses to our high school participants, creating a pathway from learning to swim to becoming certified lifeguards.By offering lifeguard training at no cost, we’re helping young people gain lifesaving skills, leadership experience, and access to meaningful employment while preparing the next generation of aquatics professionals.
-Elvin Estrella, Waterproofing Manager
Meeting a Critical Need
Waterproofing’s pathway not only benefits our lifeguards. It helps our city address a critical need.
Just a few years ago, New York City experienced one of its most severe lifeguard shortages in decades. With only half of the required lifeguards staffed, NYC was forced to close some public pools and beaches to reduce swimming areas, shorten hours, or temporarily close sections during the busiest summer months. In response, NYC Parks expanded recruitment efforts by increasing wages, offering signing bonuses, and investing in additional training opportunities. While those efforts have helped rebuild the workforce, many public pools and beaches continue to operate below their ideal staffing levels, making it difficult to keep every swimming area open at full capacity.
“Programs like Waterproofing help develop a pipeline of qualified, passionate professionals who are committed to water safety. By investing in our participants, we’re not only creating jobs we’re helping ensure that more pools and aquatic programs can operate safely and serve more families”
That’s why Alfonzo, Leif, Wendy, Nico, and Vanessa are more than emergency responders. They are community leaders who make it possible for more New Yorkers to swim and help us pursue our mission to make swimming accessible for all.
Waterproofing shaped my passion as I became much better at swimming compared to any time frame before. It also influenced my decision to be a lifeguard because I’ve always wanted to help others and I’m very fond of the community at Asphalt Green. Lifeguarding has taught me more responsibility and how to have a work-life balance. It means a lot to me to be around my community while helping keep them safe.
– Lief Lopez, Waterproofing Graduate & Lifeguard
Help Asphalt Green Make Swimming for All
Asphalt Green’s Safe Swim NYC Initiative provides resources, lifeguard training, and essential water safety programs like Waterproofing and Wave Makers, that today are leading the charge to bring free swim instruction to every student in New York City.
Last month, the New York City Council announced $1.5 million in funding to help us provide an additional 50,000 swim lessons to New Yorkers this fiscal year. You can help us too, by donating to help fund swim lessons that can open the door to opportunities for even more young people.
Learn more below to join the impact.
