Krystal Penny Bowen
Sep 3, 2018 · 3 min read

Lessons of the Sea: A lifeguard’s perspective

Michael Gilkes’ Story

By Krystal Penny Bowen

While leaning over the railing of his lifeguard station, Michael Gilkes looked across the beach with his cup of tea. It was Easter Monday evening, the sea was calm and he felt good that there was no incidents. At that moment, everyone was safe.

But twenty-seven years ago, this was not the case. For Michael, it was a painful and tragic event which has placed him in the career he is in today. For over two decades, Michael has dedicated his life to the sea, an environment he knew from a very young age. A lover of all water activities, Michael said that he and a friend went diving twenty-seven years ago when the worst happened.

“A friend of mine, we went diving….and he drowned and I could not help him. Because that happened, it made me (decide) to. help people because I could not help him,” said Michael.

Speaking to the Barbados Advocate, Michael admitted that this was the reason that he became a lifeguard as people lives are special and important to him. As a lifeguard with the National Conservation Commission, he has been trained to assist those who find themselves in difficulties in the water.

With a passion for lifeguarding, some of his best relationships were made on Brandons Beach. For him, his job gives him the opportunity to meet with locals and tourists on a daily basis. Over the years, he said he has made a lot of friends from across the world. One person who he has met on the beach was British visitor, Marcelle. This year would make thirty years they were friends. Michael explained Marcelle became his friend after he helped her around the beach when she was injured.

Michael knows that although he is trained to help others and save lives, some circumstances are not in his control. It may have been a bit of de ja vu, but on November 20, 2008, another close friend got into trouble again. This time there were warnings, Michael explained the island was experiencing a cold front. The waves were over fourteen feet high and he had placed red flags along the beach warning sea bathers that the sea was dangerous. Michael said his 74 year old friend was told to stay out of the water by him yet he ignored the warning and went swimming. His friend who was a diabetic got into difficulty, he went to save him but it was useless.

“The current was so strong, the waves were so strong each time I try to get to him, it bring me back on to the beach,” said Michael.

His friend was pulled from the water in a unconscious state and he eventually received assistance from the Barbados Coast Guard.

Another memory Michael said stood out was twenty four years ago, some children were playing football with their coach near the Hot Pot. Some of the young boys were in the pool and he had to help rescue them. Michael warned that no one should be swimming in the that area as there are no lifeguards stationed there. He advised persons who visit Brandons Beach if they are not sure where they can bathe to talk to the lifeguard who would tell them where it is safe.

“The Hot Pot is not any place for (anybody) to bathe. It is very, very dangerous,” said Michael.

Krystal Penny Bowen

Krystal Penny Bowen

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A woman of wonder, of dreams trying to make sense of this crazy world.