NYC’s First Female Head Lifeguard Issues Chilling Warning: Ignore This Beach Safety Rule and You Could Die This Summer
Janet Fash has spent nearly four decades patrolling New York City’s beaches, rising from a rookie lifeguard at the notoriously dangerous Rockaway Beach in 1979 to become the city’s first female chief lifeguard. Now, at 66, the veteran rescuer is sounding an urgent alarm about beach safety as summer crowds descend on the shores.
Fash argues that the city has long failed to properly enforce a key local law intended to prevent drownings. The regulation requires at least one lifeguard for every 50 yards of open beachfront to ensure continuous visual surveillance. Instead, she says, resources are often concentrated in popular spots, with guards doubled or tripled up in certain areas while entire stretches of beach remain closed or unsupervised. This mismanagement, according to Fash, pushes swimmers toward unguarded waters, creating unnecessary risks.
Rockaway Beach, where Fash began her career, is known for powerful rip currents and heavy crowds. She recalls days with multiple rescues before noon and the constant pressure of keeping people safe in unpredictable ocean conditions. Over the years, she witnessed how understaffing and poor deployment contributed to tragedies. In 2024, eight people drowned at city beaches — the highest number in five years — highlighting the ongoing dangers.
Beyond staffing issues, Fash has been a vocal advocate for reform. She exposed alleged corruption, favoritism, and harassment within the lifeguard system, experiences detailed in her new memoir Lifeguard: A Love Story. The book offers a raw look at the wild culture of the 1970s and 80s — from legendary “Caveman Conventions” parties to the serious challenges of breaking into a male-dominated field and pushing back against systemic problems. Her whistleblowing came at a personal cost, but she remained committed to improving safety for both guards and the public.
For beachgoers this summer, Fash shares practical, life-saving advice. Always swim at a lifeguarded beach and check water conditions with a guard before entering. Be mindful of tides — rip currents can pull even strong swimmers out quickly. If caught in one, try to stand up first or float on your back and signal for help. Non-swimmers should never overestimate their abilities, and everyone should stay hydrated with water instead of alcohol.
Fash’s message is clear: beach safety isn’t just the responsibility of lifeguards — it starts with smart choices by visitors. Her decades of experience show that while New York’s beaches offer joy and escape, they demand respect for the ocean’s power. As temperatures rise and more people head to the water, her warnings serve as a critical reminder that one careless decision can turn a perfect day into tragedy.
With her pioneering career and new book, Janet Fash continues to fight for better protection of the city’s shores, proving that true lifeguarding extends far beyond the chair and into advocacy that could save countless lives.
