A lifeguard observation station having a support structure for allowing a lifeguard to monitor a pool and swimmers or bathers therein. The lifeguard observation station includes a platform which is configured to accommodate the lifeguard. The platform member has a first edge, with at least a portion of the first edge of the platform member and a portion of the platform member adjacent the first edge being configured to extend to or beyond a pool edge of the pool. When positioned on the portion of the platform member adjacent the first edge, the lifeguard is positioned at the edge of the water or over the water in the pool to provide the lifeguard an unimpaired line-of-sight to the swimmers or bathers in the pool.