Danger lurks offshore as Lifeguard Supervisor Pat Rocourt protects the lives of thousands at Rockaway Beach.

"Summertime, and the livin' is easy?" Not for Rockaway Beach Lifeguard Supervisor Pat Rocourt.

"During the summer, it's on your mind every day that something could go wrong," she says.

With vigilance and experience, she has been guarding Rockaway Beach for 16 summers—10 years as a Lifeguard and six as a Supervisor. She grew up in the area, and now she protects other families and children as they enjoy its sandy stretches and cooling surf.

In the off-season, Ms. Rocourt is an attorney who specializes in civil law while she teaches history and law at Canarsie High School. But come summer, she heads for Rockaway Beach.

"Some things have changed over the years," she says. "The beach is definitely cleaner. We get more immigrant families. And tourists from Europe are learning to take the A train to the beach. They love it here! We interact with people from all over the world."

Ms. Rocourt is a member of Lifeguard Supervisors Local 508. She is in charge of two Supervisors and a crew of almost two dozen Lifeguards, who are in Local 461. Many of the Lifeguards return each year, so beachgoers get to know and trust them.

"We have a great team, athletic and well trained. After I make assignments each morning, we do drills. I walk around during the day making sure everything is all right and observing the water conditions. You need to know where the drop-offs are in the water. I tell my Lifeguards what to watch out for so they can warn people to stay in certain areas. It's all part of what I call 'preventive lifeguarding,' " she says.

When emergencies do strike, Ms. Rocourt is ready. As a Lifeguard, she was involved in numerous rescues. She once had to swim out against the current to help save three drowning adults caught in the surf. "As a Supervisor, I'm no longer on the chair. I use my experience to train the Lifeguards and coordinate rescues."

"Pat Rocourt is a great example of the high quality of Lifeguard Supervisor we provide to the people of New York each summer," said Peter Stein, president of Local 508.

Ms. Rocourt, a staunch union supporter, is getting involved in this fall's union election efforts. "I'll work phone banks, pass out leaflets, and urge other members to vote," she said. "We want to elect someone who supports union issues, respects seasonal employees like Lifeguards and sees our work as crucial for protecting the public safety."

— Donna Silberberg