To Serve and Protect - Lifeguards

Having spent a lot of time in the pool at the local community center pool, I have gotten to know the lifeguards and staff, most of them, from a distance through observation or up close in conversation. They, in return, have most likley gotten to know us as well or at least they know our patterns, our stroke, etc. I am quite intrigued by them so I thought I might introduce them to you should you ever choose to swim in downtown Columbia. Here's a few of them:

"The Pool Man" - He is awesome. Quite the jokester and always willing and able to harass us. He referred to us the other night as "His favorite one" and "The other favorite one" but I imagine this is everyone he encounters. He just has THAT personality with people. I've never seen him swim although he claims to swim. Maybe he does and maybe he doesn't.

"The Whistler" - He is probably late teens/early twenties. Tall and very slender with a beautiful swim stroke. Very much a Michael Phelps presence in the pool. He is quiet, doesn't seem to say much to swimmers or to his fellow lifeguards. What stands out about him is that he whistles ALL THE TIME. Whether he's in the lifeguard stand, roaming around the pool deck, picking up Noodles, etc., he is whistling. I can never make out the tune but I have taken it to be a sign that he is just a happy individual or he is exceptionally bored. I often wonder if he whistles in his sleep.

"The Aerobics Guy" - He is probably in his early to mid 20's and his job is to lead the water aerobics class that meets in the evenings. He has the brightest smile, is always polite, loves to eat chips from a bag, always speaks and does a phenomenal job with his class. He gets into it and it's really great to watch them all respond and be motivated by him.

"The Deputy" - He is probably late 20's to early 30's. He works for the Richland County Sheriff's Department and often drives his patrol car to work. I don't know his name but we've talked. His breastroke is effortless. He is in exceptional physical condition and it's obvious that he takes good care of himself.

"The Pretty One" - she is young, most likely a college student or just out of college, or that's my assumption. She is very nice and always aware of the pool schedule and classes and willing to work with us to ensure we don't get kicked out of a lane. She didn't make a good first impression but has grown on me over time.

"Beavis and Butthead" - I couldn't think of another name for these two ladies. We just met them the other night in a random conversation. One has been assigned to replace one of the other aerobics instructors. I didn't give them the name because they were obnoxious or aggravating but they were up to no good having a blast in the pool trying to figure out what to do with the 7am water aerobics class. They were having so much fun and you knew that regardless of the routine, the class was going to be a fun experience. I giggled watching them.

There are others, too, that have made an equally favorable impression. The reason that I write all of this is to say it's nice to stand out for positive things and be acknowledged. However, I also wanted to address one lifeguard in particular yesterday who completely and totally caught my eye. What shall I call her...ahhh, yes, "The Lifeless Lifeguard". I watched her for an entire hour, slouched in the chair on the opposite side of the pool from which the lifeguards usually watch the pool. I can say this in all honesty, I don't think she looked IN THE POOL the entire time I was there. There were approximately 10-12 kids in the pool splashing around. I thought to myself, would she ever know if one of them went under. Her head was cocked to the right looking outdoors and she could not have been less motivated to be there. I firmly believe we always have good days and bad days. We have days that we don't want to be at work. The difference is if I don't answer the phone, nobody dies! If she doesn't look in the pool and someone drowns, ughhh, "Houston, we have a problem!"

Anyway, I had a great swim and after seeing her, I was exceptionally thankful that I did, in fact, know how to swim. Otherwise, it could have been a not-so-happy experience!