Former Olympic swimmer becomes lifeguard in Narragansett
NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WJAR) — The water is Elizabeth Beisel's happy place and now the three-time Olympic swimmer and two-time Olympic medalist is fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a lifeguard at Narragansett Town Beach.
"This has been an Elizabeth dream since she was 15 and it's so cool for me to now fulfill that dream because I was always busy in the summers traveling for swimming, Olympics, world championships," Beisel said. So this summer was finally the first one that I had pretty open. I remember I reached out to the head lifeguard, and I said I was home and I always wanted to do this. I know I'm a little bit older, but is there any way there is a spot for me on the team? So we went through the interviews and did all the training and here we are."
As far as swimming goes, Beisel has to be the most qualified lifeguard on duty -- but her supervisor says she brings way more to the team.
"Elizabeth is certainly an Olympic swimmer, but even more importantly just an amazing human being who fits right into our culture here. She is a consummate professional and has contributed so much for saving towards leadership and mentorship here on our team, said Brian Guadagno who is the senior lifeguard captain at Narragansett Surf Rescue.
And safety is Beisel's top priority as she takes this new summer job with laser focus on the task at hand.
"This is the most important job that I have ever had you know. When I swim in the Olympics I am not saving lives, I am just swimming fast," Beisel said. "Here, I show up to work everyday and my goal is to keep this beach as safe as possible and that is just embedded into the culture at Narragansett Surf Rescue."
Narragansett Town Beach will officially close on Labor Day, but Beisel will be staying busy in her off-season.
She will continue to work on her charity "Block Cancer" as well as just re-signing with NBC Sports as a commentator for the Summer Olympics in Paris in 2024.