Summary
An unforgettable memoir from New York City’s first female lifeguard chief, this coming-of-age story plunges into the rough-and-tumble, sun-soaked world of Rockaway Beach in the 1970s and 1980s.
The first time I ever saw a lifeguard get horned was in the summer of 1974.
So begins the singular story of Janet Fash, the first female lifeguard chief at Rockaway Beach. Janet never expected to be a lifeguard, but when she got recruited by a friend to join the New York City lifeguardi…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781668206614 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1668206617 |
| Author: | Janet Fash, Clio Chang |
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Imprint: | Simon & Schuster |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 240 |
| Release Date: | 13 October 2026 |
| Weight: | 352g |
| Dimensions: | 25mm x 140mm x 213mm |
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Critics Review
“Both a sunny coming-of-age story and an exposé of corruption, understaffing and unnecessary deaths at Rockaway Beach… . Salty and illuminating… . Fash is great company… . [A] gripping, essential tale.” – Carolyn Kormann * The New York Times *
“Akin to settling in for an episode of Baywatch and suddenly finding yourself watching On the Waterfront… . [Fash’s] awareness of this ever-present risk lends the book its gravity; her description of lifeguarding as a job ‘both mundane and extraordinary’ is apt.” – Barbara Spindel * The Wall Street Journal *
”[Fash] starts out her ode to the Rockaways as a toast to the ’70s and ’80s before it breaks into a more serious story: shocking allegations of sex abuse and abuse of power — and a lifelong New Yorker’s quest to stop it.” – Kyle Schnitzer * The New York Post *
”“Janet Fash was always outspoken when it came to keeping beachgoers safe. She lays it all out in her feisty new memoir.” * The New York Times *
“This heartfelt memoir moves along like a strong current, balancing tender life milestones with eye-opening experiences in a profession responsible for ensuring public safety… . Fash should be celebrated as a champion and advocate for the ocean lifeguarding profession. Highly recommended, especially before heading to the beach.”
* Booklist *
“A distinctly unglamorous but realistic portrait of both the obvious and hidden stresses faced by those attempting to keep life safe for beachgoers. A peek behind the scenes of a challenging career.” * Kirkus Reviews *
Janet Fash
Janet Fash has been a New York City lifeguard for almost forty years.
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