Training For The Moment That Matters

“My son had an anaphylactic shock, and the team responded quickly and saved my boy’s life.”

It’s the kind of online review that stops you in your tracks. For Jack Caraffa, it’s a moment that defines why he shows up to work every day.

At only 18, Jack is already leading teams and making high‑stakes decisions at Glen Eira Leisure. As a Centre Supervisor at GESAC and Carnegie Memorial Swimming Pool, he has quickly gained experience and shows a maturity beyond his years.

“I stepped into this role at the minimum age of 18,” Jack says. “It was daunting being one of the youngest in the team, but it drove me to push myself further to not be seen as my age, but as a respected Centre Supervisor.”

Jack’s path into the industry began only a few years ago after attending a careers session as a teenager. What began as a casual job soon became much more. “I never initially considered a career in the industry,” he admits. “But as I moved into leadership roles and developed my knowledge, I found a real passion. I enjoy being able to lead and help the community in an impactful way.”

The impact is clear. In the last year, Jack has handled more incidents than anyone else at the Centre, including several major first aid cases. Each situation requires him to stay calm, clear-headed, and confident, skills he has learned to trust when every second counts.

“It’s about remaining calm and calculated in decision making,” he explains. “You’re guiding your team, providing technical advice, and making sure the best outcome is achieved.”

Keeping the community safe: Watch Around Water

For Jack, preventing incidents is just as important as responding to them. This is especially clear in how he handles Watch Around Water.

“A common risk I see, especially during busy swim school periods, is a breach of the Watch Around Water policy,” he says. “You might have children out of their depth while a guardian is distracted on the other side of the pool.”

Instead of only enforcing rules, Jack puts an emphasis on education. He often steps in to guide families back to safe habits, even when those talks are tough.

“I explain what I observed and how quickly a situation can escalate,” he says. “It’s a harsh reality, but without supervision, drowning can happen. Our role is to enforce the policy, but also help people understand why it exists.”

Building skills through the Lifeguard Challenge

Jack’s mix of leadership, responsibility, and care has helped him move up quickly. He even took part in the 2025 Life Saving Victoria Pool Lifeguard Challenge as captain of the Carnegie team.

“The Lifeguard Challenge was an incredible experience,” he says. “We spent two months training across rescue scenarios, swim skills, and response drills. It builds a structure and confidence you carry onto the pool deck.”

But more than the competition, the experience made the team even stronger.

“You build trust with your team. Later, when you respond to a real incident, you know exactly what each person needs to do. It almost feels natural.”

In 2026, Jack won the Lifeguard of the Year honour at the ARV Awards. With strong communication skills and a calm, confident approach that help de-escalate situations and build positive engagement on the pool deck, it was no surprise to anyone that Jack received such a highly regarded accolade. 

Jack’s sense of connection, and drive to learn and lead, is shaping his future in aquatics. By mentoring staff, reviewing procedures, and stepping up when it matters, he is already setting a standard for what young professionals can do in the industry.

For Jack, every shift, every situation, and every training session helps him get ready for what matters most: the moments that count.

“To see the outcome you can have on someone’s life, it’s fulfilling,” he says. “That’s what pushes me to keep going.”