What Summer Jobs Did You Have Growing Up?

So the other day I was involved in a conversation that started off about all the businesses in dire need of help this summer and quickly switched to the jobs we had growing up in the summer months at the shore.  For most of my teen-age years and later I really didn’t have a choice….my father owned and operated amusement games on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights which meant long hours working for him.  However there were three others that stood out:

Casino Pool Locker Room Attendant-This was actually my first job when I was 12 and didn’t even have working papers.  What is now Breakwater Beach was at that time the largest salt water pool on the East Coast. I believe I made $1.25 an hour renting lockers to people who would often spend the entire day at the pool.

Umbrella Rentals- The Boyd Family had a beach concession where they rented umbrellas, rafts and more on the north side of the Casino Pier.  Anyway these were fairly heavy wooden umbrellas and when someone rented one you walked to their spot and put it up…of course hoping for a good tip.  On a hot day with a west wind it was not a lot of fun but taking the rafts out during your break was.  By the way on my first day I got a $20 tip for walking about 5 blocks in the hot sun…it was a record at that time.

Tennis Court Attendant- This was the best summer job I ever had in 1977 when I was 21 years old. There were two public tennis courts in Seaside Heights and myself and one other person had to maintain them and handle reservations which required badges.  We split the hours between 8am-10pm and each worked a double shift so the other could have a day off.  Most of the time I sat in a beach chair, read and listened to music and yes played tennis while getting the best tan I ever had.  Oh and they even gave us a clothing allowance for a proper tennis wardrobe.

By the way there are still plenty of summer jobs at the Jersey Shore.