'Guards of tomorrow
By Laura Ruby
The Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility (WARF) recently completed its first week of junior lifeguard training and plans to offer a second session later this month.Dubbed Beach Patrol, the program is geared toward kids 10-15 and uses the American Red Cross Guardstart program to teach both classroom instruction and hands-on rescue techniques, according to Ralph Baird, Warrenton's new parks and recreation director.
Offered in eight, full-day sessions, the class is a primer to lifeguard training that students can take when they turn 15 and covers topics like identifying swimmers in trouble, basic swimming assists, and how lifeguards must protect themselves when approaching struggling swimmers. The highlight for many of the students was shadowing lifeguards on duty at the facility.
“The participants, most of these kids are either pool rats or swim team members," Baird said. "They've been in competitive swimming so they already look up to lifeguards as being the pinnacle of swimming. They won't clean their rooms at home, but here you can get out some bleach and a scrub brush, and they have a field day.”
Class instructor Pam Smith said lifeguards jumped in to assist with training the students; the program required participants to swim laps and run a mile. They also worked with students who were assigned to help in learn-to-swim classes.
“To see these boys and girls take charge, take initiative, and to work hard, is very rewarding,” Smith said, noting that all of the participants increased their swimming skill level during the program. “The participants really took pride in what they were doing. It's something different than a sports camp. Beyond the technical skills they learned, they are learning valuable lessons for life, and how to behave professionally in the workplace.”
Smith said that while the class is taught in a group setting, instructors work with students on an individual basis. “Some of our guards said they wished a program like this would have been in existence when they were younger,” Smith said. “It really was a team effort.”
“The junior lifeguards learn [from building engineer Seth McMurray] how the water is cleaned, filtered, and disinfected,” said Baird. “That's not something you see everyday.
“I see this as building a good core of kids to become good lifeguards down the road. When they do take lifeguard training, it will be easier for them.”
With space for about 10 participants, the next program session is set for Aug. 11-21. Classes run Monday through Thursday from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Baird is considering offering the training as an after-school program this fall, with classes being held for two hours each evening.
“We have to find a way to make it feasible for parents to get their kids here,” Baird said, noting that the program in that format is still in its planning stages.
Baird joined the town staff in April, becoming the third person in charge of the WARF since it opened in September. Harold Sanderson was in place when the facility opened and left the job in late November. He was replaced by interim director Jack Vivien, who left earlier this year after experiencing health problems. Assistant director Kathy Zimmer and McMurray were instrumental in running the facility during all of those changes, Baird said.
Baird, who lives in Chantilly with his wife Carole and twin sons Joseph and William, comes to Warrenton from a position with the Loudoun County Parks and Recreation Department, where he ran an aquatic center similar to the WARF.
“A lot of things that we had done there, hadn't been done here,” Baird said. In his four months on the job, Baird has begun implementing a new staffing plan and developing a more thorough standard operating procedure manual. Pleased with the WARF's class offerings, Baird plans to turn his attention to marketing the facility.
“Our marketing efforts will be more directed to kids,” he said.
Baird wants to see the WARF continue to develop its programs, specifically for families. The facility recently hosted a family movie night, brining out more than 200 residents, as well as the Tri-County Swim Championship, which drew about 500 people for different portions of the competition.
“My long-range goal is for families to see this as an asset for their children to develop skills and learn how to swim. Teenagers can come out with their parents and get some exercise. I'd like to host more family-style events. I want this to be a family atmosphere,” he said.
For more information about Beach Patrol or other programs at the WARF, call (540) 349-2520 or visit www.warrentonva.gov .