Oshane Brown: Dedication Behind AC Hotel Kingston’s Pool

Before the day gets into full swing at the AC Hotel Kingston, Oshane Brown is already at work, ensuring that the pool area is clean, inviting and ready to welcome guests. For the 33-year-old Lifeguard/Pool Attendant, the early start is part of a routine that requires discipline, attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining the standards expected at one of the capital’s leading hotels.

“My day begins with prepping the pool and the surrounding area. I usually treat the water in the pool, clean the furniture around the pool and layout towels, getting the area ready for breakfast,” Brown explains.

While guests may see the finished product as they begin their morning, much of the work that makes the experience possible happens before they arrive. From treating the water to preparing the furniture and arranging towels, Brown’s responsibilities help ensure that the poolside environment is clean, comfortable and ready for service.

His journey to the AC Hotel Kingston, however, was not something he had necessarily anticipated.

Having spent 15 years working in the aquatics and related fields, Brown brings a wealth of practical experience to his current position. Yet, despite his years in the industry, he approaches his new role with humility and a recognition that there is always more to learn.

Though he has been at the property for just six months, he says the experience has been both rewarding and instructive. “It’s quite an experience being part of the team and I credit my uncle Everton Brown for introducing me to this industry and to the property,” he shares.

As a member of the hotel’s engineering department, Brown is continuing to develop his skills while contributing to the daily operations of the property. His story is a reminder that professional growth often comes from remaining open to opportunities, embracing new environments and appreciating the people who help create those opportunities.

Lessons from Flamstead

Long before he became a familiar presence around the pool at the AC Hotel Kingston, Brown was a young man growing up in Flamstead, in the Gordon Town area of St Andrew.
His formative years, he recalls, were shaped by a lifestyle that involved helping with daily chores on the farm. Those early responsibilities instilled in him values that continue to guide his approach to work and life.

The lessons were simple but enduring: show up, do what needs to be done and remain consistent.

Brown attended New Providence Primary School before moving on to Papine High School and later Knockalva. His educational journey, together with the experiences he gained growing up in the hills of Gordon Town, helped shape his appreciation for hard work and personal responsibility.

The connection between his upbringing and his professional life is evident in the way he describes his daily duties. Whether preparing a pool before breakfast or undertaking other responsibilities behind the scenes, he understands that the smallest tasks can contribute to a much larger experience.

For Brown, dedication is not simply about completing an assignment. It is about taking pride in the work and ensuring that it is done properly.

Fifteen Years in the Aquatics Industry

Brown’s six-month tenure at the AC Hotel Kingston represents only the latest chapter in a career spanning approximately 15 years. Over that period, he has worked in a variety of roles, including assistant coach and swim instructor, while also gaining experience connected to Campion, The University of the West Indies (UWI), as well as therapy and rehabilitation.

These experiences have allowed him to engage with people in different settings, developing skills that extend beyond swimming and pool maintenance.

His background as a swim instructor, in particular, has given him an appreciation for the importance of water safety and the confidence that can come from learning a new skill.

For many people, swimming is a recreational activity. For Brown, it is also an essential life skill that can help individuals navigate unfamiliar situations, overcome personal fears and develop greater confidence.

It is a message he believes deserves greater attention in Jamaica, an island nation surrounded by water and known internationally for its beaches, rivers and coastal attractions.

A Call for Jamaicans to Learn to Swim

Drawing on his professional experience, Brown is encouraging more Jamaicans to make swimming a priority, regardless of age or previous experience.

“We’re in an island surrounded by water and you never know what you can experience, so I encourage folks to learn how to swim which is helpful in overcoming trauma or fear. It can be helpful not only in water but on land,” Brown emphasizes.

His appeal speaks to the importance of water safety in a country where residents and visitors regularly interact with the sea, rivers, swimming pools and other aquatic environments.

Learning to swim, he believes, can offer benefits beyond the physical ability to move through water. The process can also help people build confidence and confront fears in a supportive environment.

His perspective reflects a career spent working with people in different capacities, from teaching swimming to supporting therapy and rehabilitation.

While swimming lessons cannot eliminate every risk associated with water, learning essential swimming and water-safety skills can be an important step towards safer participation in aquatic activities.

For Brown, encouraging Jamaicans to embrace swimming is one way of using his knowledge and experience to make a meaningful contribution beyond his immediate workplace.

Ital is Vital, Reggae is Life

Away from his professional responsibilities, Brown enjoys a lifestyle that reflects his personal interests and appreciation for Jamaican culture.

A lover of ital food, he is quick to share his philosophy: “Ital is vital.”

His appreciation for natural, plant-based food goes hand in hand with his love of reggae music, particularly the timeless work of the legendary Bob Marley.

The music, which continues to resonate with audiences across generations and borders, remains a favourite for Brown, whose outlook on life is grounded in growth, discipline and maintaining a positive perspective.

These personal interests offer another glimpse into the man behind the uniform: someone who values his Jamaican roots, enjoys the country’s cultural offerings and believes in making room for continued development.

Always Leave Room for Growth

At 33, Brown has already accumulated 15 years of experience in his chosen field. Yet, rather than viewing his years in the industry as a reason to become complacent, he sees them as a foundation on which to build.

His move to the AC Hotel Kingston has introduced him to a new working environment, fresh experiences and further opportunities to learn.

He also recognizes the importance of acknowledging those who have supported his journey, including his uncle, Everton Brown, whose introduction to the industry and the property helped open a new door.

For young Jamaicans navigating their own career paths, his experience offers a valuable lesson: success does not always follow a predetermined route. Sometimes, it emerges through unexpected opportunities, the influence of family and mentors, and a willingness to remain teachable.

Brown’s philosophy is captured in the words he offers to anyone looking to advance in life. “Always Leave Room for Growth…The Sky’s The Limit.”

It is a fitting reflection of a young professional whose story is rooted in humble beginnings, shaped by years of experience and sustained by a desire to keep learning.

At the AC Hotel Kingston, where the pool must be ready before the first breakfast guest arrives, Brown continues to demonstrate that meaningful contributions are not always made in the spotlight. Sometimes, they are found in the quiet consistency of a job well done, the care taken with everyday responsibilities and the determination to become better with each passing day. 

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