Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan (6 February 1911 – 5 June 2004) was an American politician who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989 and became a highly influential voice of modern conservatism. Prior to his presidency, he was a lifeguard, a Hollywood actor and union leader before serving as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 to 1975.
Open Water Swimming
- He was a lifeguard who was credited with saving the lives of 77 people from 1927 to 1932 on the Rock River in Dixon, Illinois.
- He was the captain and coach of the Eureka College swim team.
To The Saviors
The Lifeguard President is included as one of the saviors in the video tribute, To The Saviors.
Before becoming the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan’s character was forged at the water’s edge. Growing up in Dixon, Illinois, Reagan attended Eureka College, where he studied economics and sociology while excelling as a varsity collegiate swimmer and football player. However, his most storied aquatic achievement took place during his summers at Lowell Park. From 1927 to 1932, Reagan served as a lifeguard at the treacherous Rock River. His dedication to safety was legendary; over seven seasons, he is credited with saving 77 lives. He famously carved a notch into a log for every person he pulled from the current. This early experience instilled in him a lifelong sense of responsibility and the ability to remain calm under pressure—traits that would later define his political career.
Reagan’s athletic background led him to a career as a sports broadcaster, where his vivid storytelling brought games to life for millions. As President, he continued to champion physical fitness, frequently swimming to maintain his health. In 1984, he was recognized by the International Swimming Hall of Fame, receiving the Gold Medallion for his lifelong devotion to the sport and his record as a rescuer.
Reagan often remarked that being a lifeguard was one of the most formative and honest jobs he ever held.
