Hanna L. Kawamoto (they/them/theirs) was never one to stray too far away from the water’s edge. Born in Long Beach, California, they grew up in swimming pools and oceans along the western coast. Their love for the water grew into a passion for competitive swimming and ocean lifeguarding. At seventeen, they started working as an ocean lifeguard for the Long Beach Fire Department’s Marine Safety Division.

It was through their work that they developed a greater appreciation for the job’s versatility and history. They quickly learned that to protect their community, they had to connect with their community. From the stories of lifeguards and the public alike, blossomed their interest in the history of lifeguarding...and the silent struggle of preserving it.

Now finding themselves here on the East Coast, they intend to develop archival and research methodologies to help preserve this occupation.

Their research interest in lifeguarding is heavily inspired by their previous work in early American history. They critically focus on the histories of gender and sexuality, further expanding their knowledge through queer and trans studies. They studied and earned their B.A. and M.A. in History from the University of California, Santa Barbara and Irvine.

Outside of their studies, they (still) enjoy swimming, reading comics, and listening to music.