Guards on Duty

Though the Malta Municipal pool is on an abbreviated schedule this summer, it is open and ready for all types of swimmers…even dogs, again, once the season has run its course.

Julia Tatafu and Natalie Judd are once again leading a group of dedicated lifeguards with Jillian O'Brien as Head Lifeguard, second-year-guard Kayla Judd back in action as well as first-year-guards Reese Sjostrom, Nikki Nicholson, Danie Rhodes, and Zac Judd filling out the crew.

The pool opened last week and will stay open until July 31, almost three weeks shorter than last year as the Public Works Crew will come in and demo the inside of the pool’s pool house and rebuild bathrooms, stalls, and the main entrance of the building…Natalie said she hopes to once again host a doggie swim before the pool is drained for the fall.

This year the Municipal Pool will host two sessions of swimming lessons at $20 each and within those sessions, four different levels of swim classes will be held. The first session of classes starts on Monday, June 10 and will conclude the 20th. The second session of classes will begin July 8 and run through the 18th.

As for the daily pool schedule, Monday through Thursday hosts open swim from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.; Monday through Thursday nights will be family swim from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.; Lap Swim is Monday through Thursday from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., and the weekend hours (Friday and Saturday) the pool is open from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. and closed on Sundays (and July 4th which lands on a Thursday this year.) The pool in Malta Daily open swim is $2 person; lap swim and family night are $1 and season swim passes for individuals is $50 and family passes are $70.

For the third year in a row, Cindy LaMere, a Lifeguard Instructor Trainer from the Harlem/Fort Belknap area came to Malta to train the lifeguards in their home pool (in years past, the Malta guards would travel for their training, but Malta’s pool’s has unique edging and requires unique training.)

“We were able to train with her for two days and it is wonderful to be here in Malta for training because our pool is a little different than most,” Natalie said. “We used to have to go to Glasgow, so it is really nice to have her come to us.”

Natalie said that people using the pool must follow the rules of the facility and children under 8 years of age need to be accompanied by a chaperone.

Last Thursday, the six lifeguards protecting the pool this year met with the PCN for a photo shoot and a quick Q&A session to help introduce them to the public.

Jillian O'Brien

Years as Lifeguard:

Two.

When I am not at the pool working, you will find me: In my bed.

Best part of being a lifeguard: Working with the other guards.

Hardest part of being a lifeguard: Difficult parents.

Favorite movie: Disney’s Hercules.

Kayla Judd

Years as Lifeguard:

Two.

When I am not at the pool working, you will find me: Watching Netflix.

Best part of being a lifeguard: Being able to swim when there is nobody here.

Hardest part of being a lifeguard: Getting sunburned.

Favorite movie: Moana.

Reese Sjostrom

Years as Lifeguard:

One.

When I am not at the pool working, you will find me: Watching Netflix.

Best part of being a lifeguard: Spending time outside.

Hardest part of being a lifeguard: The training.

Favorite movie: Tangled.

Nikki NIcholson

Years as Lifeguard:

One.

When I am not at the pool working, you will find me: Eating.

Best part of being a lifeguard: Being out in the sun.

Hardest part of being a lifeguard: Children’s lives are in our hands.

Favorite movie: Dazed and Confused.

Zac Judd

Years as Lifeguard:

One.

When I am not at the pool working, you will find me: At home.

Best part of being a lifeguard: The money.

Hardest part of being a lifeguard: Not enough money.

Favorite movie: Spiderman Homecoming.

Danie Rhodes

Years as Lifeguard:

One.

When I am not at the pool working, you will find me: Sleeping.

Best part of being a lifeguard: Tanning.

Hardest part of being a lifeguard: Trying to stay awake.

Favorite movie: The Longest Ride.