Portuguese student turns lifeguard at Dudhsagar during varsity break

Panaji: Picnickers jumping into the Dudhsagar falls over the last weekend would have noticed a young European intently watching over them. Vasco Preto, a 23-year-old student from the University of Porto, makes for an odd lifeguard in Goa’s hinterland, particularly in a Drishti Marine jersey. But for the Porto resident, this is how he likes to explore the world—volunteering as a lifeguard.

“I first heard about Goa during a history class in school, especially through the story of Vasco da Gama. The name always stood out to me—maybe because we share it! I never thought I’d follow in his footsteps quite so literally,” he says. Preto has worked as a professional lifeguard for the past six years, protecting swimmers on beaches in Portugal, Costa Rica, and now India. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in management at the University of Porto.

He says that being a lifeguard taught him discipline, quick thinking, and the value of working as a team.

“I never actually asked my parents about the origin of my name, but I do find it very interesting that it’s similar to Vasco da Gama’s name. I’m the first member of my family to ever visit India. I never thought Goa would be my first state. But I do feel this is a really nice place. People are very hospitable,” said Preto.

He said that he came to India looking for a new challenge, something that would push him out of his comfort zone. Protecting swimmers at Dudhsagar was certainly a unique experience for him.

“It was actually my first time ever volunteering at a waterfall. I do understand how risky it is. It’s very slippery, and it has some different pools on different levels. So I think that the number of lifeguards that are now working there, it’s quite adequate for how demanding the job is,” said Preto.

Back home in Portugal, he served as a lifeguard on the mainland and in Madeira and the Azores, where the Atlantic is colder, rougher, and often unpredictable. While Costa Rica had strong currents, in Goa, the sea is generally calmer, but the large number of beachgoers requires constant vigilance, he said.