Roy Lester, a 61 year old lifeguard from New York, lost his job for refusing to wear a speedo during a speed test.   He had been a lifeguard at Jones Beach, NY since 1966 and swimming was his passion. 

     Roy also is a attorney and now is suing the NY State Parks and Recreation Department for what he believes is age discrimination.    The speedo excuse was a good chance to take his job from him.  He is still strong and healthy and an excellent swimmer.  He has a pile of  medals to prove his ability and 45 years of experience.

      It’s not like he refused to take the test or even wanted to wear some baggie old fashioned swim suit.  He simply refused to wear the skimpy speedos that the younger guys enjoy wearing.  He wanted to wear his “jammers”, which are like biker shorts, but cover considerably more skin.  The fabric is similar to the speedos and wouldn’t have affected his speed.

    Roy just wants his job at Jones Beach back.  He wants the right to wear modest swimwear in which to do his job.  Is that so unresonable?  Does a drowning person care what kind of suit the lifeguard has on?  Does the child lost on the beach care what kind of suit his has on?  Does the frantic parent whose child is caught in a riptide care?  I think not!!

     I say Roy should get bonus points for standing up for his principles.  I respect his modesty.   I hope he gets his job back, including lost wages  and pain and suffering.  We need more men and women like Roy Lester, who are willing to put a high value on their personal standards.