594: My Summer Self

Rory Lester is a 66-year-old working lifeguard and bankruptcy attorney who over four decades lifeguarded at Jones Beach, New York. He refused to wear the official Speedo swim briefs mandated for his fitness test, insisting on wearing jammers—a modest, more thigh-covering swimwear favored by older lifeguards.

Lester lost his job when he defied the rule but stood firm, filing a $5 million lawsuit against New York State for age discrimination, arguing that forcing older lifeguards into Speedos was a tactic to push them out.

His fight highlights how ageism can manifest in unexpected ways, such as uniform policies, and how personal dignity intersects with professional capability. Despite the bureaucratic battle, Lester continued to swim and lifeguard, demonstrating that age did not diminish his fitness or skill.

This story reveals how summer work and passions can intertwine with larger social issues, and how standing up for principles can challenge institutional norms, even over something as seemingly trivial as swimwear.

• Rory Lester lifeguarded at Jones Beach for 40 years and is also a bankruptcy lawyer.
• He refused to wear a Speedo for his swim tests, leading to losing his job and fighting a lawsuit.

• Jones Beach lifeguards were forced to take swim tests only in official swimsuits, including Speedos.
• Older lifeguards prefer jammers for modesty and comfort, showing a clash between uniform rules and personal dignity.