Madrid, July, 24, 2026 - Every summer, millions of families visit our water parks to enjoy thrilling attractions, relax under the sun and create unforgettable memories.

Behind every splash, however, is something even more important: safety.

On July 31, we celebrate International Lifeguard Appreciation Day, recognizing the professionals whose vigilance, expertise and commitment help ensure our guests can enjoy every moment with confidence.

To mark the occasion, we spoke with Jesús Montes, Group Head of Operational Excellence – Aquatics at Parques Reunidos, about the vital role of our Aquatics teams and the simple actions every guest can take to help make their visit as safe as it is memorable.

International Lifeguard Appreciation Day is an opportunity to recognize a profession that often works behind the scenes. What does this day mean to you?

It is a chance to celebrate people who dedicate every day to looking after others.

Our Aquatics teams are highly trained professionals whose commitment, vigilance, and teamwork allow millions of guests to enjoy our parks safely. Much of what they do goes unnoticed because their greatest success is preventing incidents before they happen. That is exactly why they deserve to be recognized.

Today is about thanking them for the professionalism, responsibility, and passion they bring to work every single day.

What qualities make a great lifeguard?

Technical knowledge is essential, of course, but great lifeguards also possess qualities that cannot be taught overnight.

They remain focused, communicate effectively, work seamlessly as a team, and stay calm under pressure. They are constantly observing their surroundings, anticipating potential risks, and making hundreds of decisions throughout the day—many of which guests will never even realize.

It is a role that requires discipline, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to safety.

What's more, I believe the best lifeguard is the one who performs the fewest rescues, because before a rescue takes place, there are hundreds of preventive actions that increase the safety of the area, significantly reducing the likelihood that a rescue will be necessary.

People often associate lifeguards with emergency response. Is that the reality of the job?

Emergency response is only a very small part of what they do. In fact, it accounts for less than 0.5% of a lifeguard's day-to-day work.

The vast majority of their work is preventive. They continuously monitor the aquatic environment, guide guests, identify behaviors that could become unsafe, and intervene early to prevent situations from developing.

If our guests leave having had a wonderful day without ever needing assistance, that usually means our teams have done their job exceptionally well.

Safety is a shared responsibility. What advice would you give families visiting a water park this summer?

There are a few simple habits that make a significant difference:

• Keep young children within arm's reach at all times, even when lifeguards are present.
• Avoid distractions. Activities such as reading a book or checking your phone can take your attention away from supervising your children, even for just a few seconds.
• If you're visiting as a group, designate a "Water Watcher." Appoint one adult to actively supervise the children for a set period, then rotate the responsibility among the group.
• Stay hydrated throughout the day, especially during periods of high temperatures.
• Reapply sunscreen regularly and seek shade when needed.
• Respect height, age, and safety restrictions on attractions.
• Most importantly, listen to the guidance provided by our lifeguards and park teams—they are there to help everyone enjoy the experience safely.

How does Parques Reunidos prepare its Aquatics teams for the summer season?

Preparation begins long before our parks open.

Our teams undergo comprehensive training, including workshops on surveillance techniques, operational procedures, rescue techniques, first aid, emergency response, communication, and teamwork. Throughout the season, they continue to train regularly to maintain the highest standards of operational excellence.

Safety is not a one-time exercise—it is a continuous commitment, and we are constantly looking for ways to learn, improve and strengthen our operations.

What makes you most proud of our Aquatics teams?

Their dedication and commitment.

Every day they arrive knowing that their priority is the wellbeing of thousands of guests. They approach that responsibility with professionalism, humility, and an incredible team spirit.

Many people remember the attractions they enjoyed or the memories they created during their visit. Our Aquatics teams help make those memories possible by creating an environment where guests feel safe from the moment they arrive until they leave.

That is something we should all be proud of.

Thank You to Our Aquatics Teams

This International Lifeguard Appreciation Day, we proudly recognize every member of our Aquatics teams across Parques Reunidos.

Their expertise, vigilance and commitment are fundamental to delivering the safe, high-quality experiences our guests expect and deserve.

To all our lifeguards: thank you for everything you do to help make every summer unforgettable and above all, safe.