Dive into our historical photos of Mainers learning to swim
Maine has many public swimming spots, including beaches, lakes and municipal pools. At most of them, you’ll find lifeguards keeping a keen eye on anyone venturing into the the water.
From watching for sharks to riptide rescues, medical emergencies and other frightening occurrences, their role is vital in keeping people safe. Swimming instructors are just as important as they teach kids at a young age how to swim and stay safe in the water.
These four photographs, taken from the 1950s through the early ’80s, show lifeguarding and swim instruction at the ocean and a swimming pool.
In this photo that ran in the Evening Express on June 21, 1956, a swim instructor is demonstrating some strokes to two children. (Photo courtesy Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives)
In this photo that ran in the Portland Press Herald on July 27, 1956, Mrs. Alexander H. Stanley and her two daughters, Jane and Susan, spend a few minutes at the dock of the Westbrook Community Swimming Pool. The Portland YWCA offered swimming classes for mothers and their children. (Photo by Milt Morrison, Courtesy Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives)
Grant Wilder, water safety instructor at South Portland’s Willard Beach, lets Leisel Hazard, 7, and Judy Dunn, 11, know that air mattresses, inner tubes and other flotation devices aren’t allowed. This photo ran in the Evening Express on July 7, 1969. (Photo by Walter Elwell, Courtesy Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives)
In this photo that ran in the Portland Press Herald on July 8, 1982, lifeguard William Van Lonkhuyzen is on duty at Crescent Beach in Cape Elizabeth. (Photo by Gordon Chibroski, Courtesy Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives)
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Tagged: Throwback photo
Aimsel Ponti is a music writer and content producer for the Portland Press Herald. She has been obsessed with – and inspired by – music since she listened to Monkees records borrowed from the town. More by Aimsel Ponti
