There is something enjoyable about trying new things, particularly when they challenge expectations. Sometimes the best experiences are the ones that leave you a little exhausted but give you a good story to tell afterward.
I do a little lifeguarding here and there to help out, stay in shape, and spend time on the water. It is something I have enjoyed since growing up around the Great Lakes, so I recently attended an in-service training session with approximately 40 lifeguards.
Most of the participants were college students in their early-to-mid 20s. A few in their 30's. I had a feeling I might be the oldest person in the room, but that was part of the fun (Actually I know about 4 other guards my age.). These young people have so much wonder and life in them. Their journeys are just starting.
Shortly after the session began, everyone jumped into the pool and started swimming freestyle across the lanes. It was loud, the water flying everyone, and I'm pretty sure most of the people didn't hear or understand the commands. I just heard muffled sounds over a loud speaker.
Assuming we were doing a speed drill, I took off at full throttle and sprinted to the other side. It did not take long to discover that this was actually an endurance exercise. I had mistaken the starting gun for a sprint when the real objective was longevity! Yikes!
Swimming without goggles, burning through my energy early, and going up against college-age athletes made things interesting. Nevertheless, I adjusted my pace, worked through the remaining legs, and finished respectably. I wasn't last—and I am fairly certain I wasn't even in the last five (maybe...not sure.). At my age, I'll gladly take that victory!
The training continued with an overhead object-passing drill in deep water. All 40 participants had to tread water while passing objects overhead. Any mistakes meant starting over. After the objects made their way through the group, I was responsible for getting the equipment back onto the deck. Technically I had the hardest job. I have to twist 180 degrees while treading and must reach up over the edge with a heavy object. It isn't that easy.
These exercises are designed to test more than swimming ability. They deliberately build fatigue through repeated swimming, back-floating with hands on the chest, treading water, and carrying objects while maintaining control. The objective is to develop endurance and the ability to perform essential lifeguarding duties under physically demanding conditions. A few participants appeared to be approaching exhaustion. I had briefly wondered whether I might be joining them after that initial sprint! But once I got my pace I was right back on track.
Earlier in the session, we reviewed safety procedures, emergency response, and vital-sign assessments. There are plenty of acronyms and procedures to remember. I may not always recall every acronym by name, but I generally remember the steps, which is what matters.
We also had our vital signs checked. My resting heart rate registered 47 beats per minute, with oxygen saturation at 99% (Heart Rate Normal Stats). A resting heart rate in that range can be consistent with good cardiovascular conditioning, particularly in someone who exercises at an athlete level. For an "old geezer" swimming alongside a group of 20-year-olds, those numbers were certainly encouraging.
(I have a fitness trainers license so if you need a little help let me know.)
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| (Illustrative Only) When you realize your getting older. I can't believe I didn't pass out! 🙃 |
Ultimately, that is what makes these experiences worthwhile. Staying active, challenging yourself, learning new skills, and spending time around people who are happy and healthy all contribute to a good quality of life.
People approach life differently. Some are perfectly content with familiar routines, while others naturally gravitate toward new experiences, challenges, and opportunities to test their abilities. There is value in both approaches, but for those who enjoy pushing themselves, there is something rewarding about continuing to explore what they can accomplish.
Being in your 50s and swimming alongside college-age lifeguards is a fun reminder that participation does not have to come with an age limit. You may not win every race, and occasionally you might misunderstand the assignment and sprint when you should be pacing yourself. But you show up, give it your best, and enjoy the experience.
And sometimes, simply keeping up with the college crowd is a victory worth celebrating!
The closest video I found that sort of gets you that experience is this one. While I'm deep water rescue certified I am not ocean certified and that requires a fairly long swim in the ocean at a certain pace. I can get to that pace but keeping it up for a long time is difficult without more conditioning. However, I'm just having fun so maybe I will or wont. The rest of the stuff I think I can do.
These lifeguards are serious. They have their ocean certifications. This is the top level.
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