Lifeguards are an essential part of summertime enjoyment, providing safety, reassurance and security to vacationers and beach-goers alike. At the head of each lifeguard patrol is the captain, a strong individual who carefully measures the capabilities of their crew, keeping them attentive and reliable. For first-year beach patrol captain Linda Cechova, the summer may be winding down, but she proves that no job, no matter how unlikely, is too tough for a woman.
Coastal Point • Ryan Saxton
Linda Cechova and Mike Jandzen at a lifeguard stand in North Bethany. Cechova is the ony female lifeguard captain in the region, including Maryland and Delaware coasts.
“She’s the only female patrol captain in the region, across the Maryland and Delaware coast, that I know of — especially on a major beach,” said Aquatic-Marine managing member, Mike Jandzen.
While females have held the position of lieutenant in many of the area’s lifeguard squads, there are no female captains currently employed along the Maryland and Delaware shores. Jandzen helped to appoint Cechova during the application process for the position this year, after she was first employed by Aquatic-Marine LLC almost four years ago.
“She had the most seniority, most experience and, in my opinion, the most leadership ability of all the candidates we were looking at,” he stated.
Cechova, who served as a lieutenant with Jandzen’s North Bethany patrol last summer, was the only female who submitted an application for captain.
Now, as head of North Bethany’s beach patrol, she has taken great pride in the new rank.
“It was a challenge at first,” she said, “but I knew I could make it and I’m enjoying it a lot.”
As a native of the Czech Republic, Cechova had to adjust to the new lifeguarding domain when she came to the United States for the first time, years ago.
“There are no oceans in the Czech Republic,” she said. “We have pools and lakes, but there was a lot to learn about the beaches.”
Because North Bethany is an unincorporated area, the beach patrol provides services for homeowners’ associations rather than for a town. Aquatic-Marine is the organization contracted to patrol the beaches. Their coverage area, which stretches over 3.5 miles of beach, is controlled by a crew of 12 and sees hundreds of families throughout the summer.
“We have various communities,” Jandzen added. “Some are separated, and the distance becomes even greater, covering a lot of territory. To be responsible for such a large area like that is a major undertaking.”
There are five individual communities in the North Bethany area, although rescues made off land that is not under the Aquatic-Marine contract are also a concern.
Jandzen — who has lived at the Delaware beach for 40 years, on and off, and lifeguarded for close to 25 years — has seen quite a few captains come and go, and he is certain he’s now seeing the best North Bethany Beach has ever had.
“She knows the type of lifeguard we’re looking for,” he said, “the caliber, the skill level, swimming and running. She takes that knowledge and is able to pick people that meet our standards. Fluency in English is also very important. Most speak multiple languages.”
Cechova’s responsibilities include scouting new lifeguards and ensuring they are accomplishing what their jobs require.
“I knew she was a little apprehensive,” Jandzen said, “but I had complete faith and trust in her. I wouldn’t put her out there if I didn’t think she was capable. She has shown that she can handle everything.”
Cechova’s primary concern is the prevention of emergencies and accidents through education.
“There are lots of families down here, and most of them have a good knowledge of the beach, so it’s pretty easy,” she said.
Aquatic-Marine has brought in guards internationally, some from Spain and others from the Czech Republic, and from across the eastern U.S. shoreline, such as from Myrtle Beach, S.C. Most they hire are first-year, rookie guards. So Cechova’s responsibilities also include training the newcomers. She goes over policies and procedures with Jandzen, taking that information to instruct to other guards, covering everything from emergency management and medical care to day-to-day operations.
“She’s really the focal point out here every day,” Jandzen said,” and it’s her leadership that gets us through every day.”
It may seem like a lot of work, but Cechova couldn’t ask for a more appealing role.
“I always dreamed about working and living at the beach,” she said, “but when I’m out here, it still feels like a holiday. I can work out and be on the beach. It’s the best summer job ever.”
As summer finishes, Cechova will return to her native country and head back to the university, where she’s studying law.
“It’s amazing how focused she is,” said Jandzen. “The patrol captain title has been a lot more than a summer job for her. She puts so much dedication into this, and even though she’ll go back to her studies after the summer, this is where her mind and focus is right now, and that’s what we need.”
“I’ve really learned a lot,” Cechova added. “It’s been a wonderful experience.”