I’ve taken some steps to being certified as a spin instructor. I started that because I thought I could help out with the bike rally winter, indoor, training sessions. See here and here.
I’ve also done some teaching with Chris Helwig, Coach Chris, in his basement.
For the certification, I’ve done the class and just need to do the practical part, co- teaching and then leading my own spin class.
It seems likely that I’ll do this after dean-ing!
But in the meantime, there’s a flurry of activity among senior lifeguards. A lot of programming is being canceled because of the lack of lifeguards, and friends near or past retirement are re-upping their life guarding credentials to help out.
My daughter Mallory, who teaches people to be lifeguards of all sorts, thinks I should give it a go, too. It would certainly give me a focus for swimming. But she did all of her Bronzes as a teenager. The idea of swim training with teenagers doesn’t really appeal to me.
I might look around for adult classes. I’m a strong, steady, but not very speedy swimmer, and I know one of the things I’ll struggle with is the timed endurance swim. I sometimes wonder why it’s needed. I don’t think pool lifeguards ever swim 400 m to rescue someone.
Yes, beach lifeguards might, but that’s its own separate qualification. That test also involves running, so it’s a definite no for me.
I am good at treading water, and I’m good at getting bricks from the bottom of the pool.
Are you a swimmer? Have you thought about getting your lifeguard credentials? I know Diane is on it! If you ever were a lifeguard, I think you just need to recertify. Me, I’d need to start from scratch.
Still thinking about it! How about you?
