While I was growing up, my dad always told me that we never know who I would be working for and most of the time I would be playing the devil’s advocate. Few people do things for others naturally without waiting for anything in return. Most of the time, humans do things for others and the first things that come to our minds is what am I going to get from the other person? English is not my first language, but I try to be clear with my speech. I am not a fool and I can see things clear through the smoke. What is happening in our town goes beyond the money problem to support a noble program to keep people safe and to keep our local business alive.
Call it corruption, slacking, deception, or sell my soul to the next investor for a few colones, everything seems to be ruled by dirty minds and money. There is no such a thing like “I help you tomorrow”, things should be done without putting limitations or excuses. If the town needs the lifeguards to survive, why there is no action while they were there serving. Today is the first day without lifeguards on duty at Dominical and I can see that people started to worry about this reality, but why they didn’t do anything when they were there. Is it the culture or simply lack of interest because they thought that everything was all right having two people sitting at the beach, working for nothing but for their own satisfaction and commitment, sacrificing their lives and families.
Many people talk and talk but never do anything about what they talk about or offer. No action, but a lot of  “beautiful speeches and dirty saliva”. For the last two months I have dedicated myself to create a new project for the lifeguard program. I have used my time, energy and money to work on something that I believe in and that I know a few other people do believe in as well.  When I talked to Matt, Kirk and Erik Blake and Mike Wittie (the head guys), we knew it was hard to do but I had to try.  After two months I barely had five calls from people (out of 90 letters) that wanted to know about the program and that wanted to help in some way (Please see “New Lifeguard Program Letter” at the news link in our website) I won’t mention any names, but the people that did it know who they are, and I deeply appreciate it.
Last night after Matt and Vini’s good bye sunset party, I was talking to Matt and thinking about the new project and my certification in the United States. Out of the blue, the owner of Kiana Resorts show up with his family and Mike McGuinnis, owner of San Clemente “concerned” about the future of the beach. No surprise was that the only think they were concerned about was the loss of money to their business and not the people that would die without lifeguards. I reminded McGuinnis that for the last two months I have given letters to people and business and only about five people had called me. His answer was: “Only Matt is capable to run this beach and no fool kid or incompetent would be able to run it or organize it” It is so easy to talk, but does he know me or know what I am capable of, or does he really know what have I been working on? Did he read the letters I wrote? Again, my point is that not even he will be able to do anything because he doesn’t care about the town or our visitors; it is all about his business and his own benefit. My heart and brain got torn apart and I had to leave with a major break down because I have had no help all this time and this really means a lot to me. This is for the town, not for me.
I have called this article “The Hot Chair” because no one knows what it takes to be sitting at the lifeguard chair waiting and waiting for someone to be in trouble and save a live. Preventing others from getting caught on the rip tides, taking care of people stung by stingrays, teaching visitors, sitting under the sun and the rain. No one can say how does it feel if they have never been there for more than six months. Bad pay, bad food, the worst working conditions, but still committed and devoted to the job of saving lives. Many can have lots of money, but not many have the guts to sit at the yellow chair and perform the job. Not many people will go out swimming on ten feet swell to bring people back, no one will if there is no recognition or anything in return. The one that talks and complains about the lifeguard program or that says that the lifeguards have such a wonderful job because they are sitting there all day is lifetime wrong! Sit at the hot chair, wait, jump off, run, swim, put your life in danger and safe a life; the biggest satisfaction comes up when you know you did the right thing.
We need a new way to think, don’t let others buy and sell our souls or our land where we belong to.  Don’t think that is right to let people talk and don’t take action, it is about time to take action. “The deck is on the table, all we need to do is to win the chips”

Alejandro J Cerdas

Dominical Lifeguard Foundation Director