WSI Aide & Junior Lifeguard Update

Once Ryan finished his training for WSI Aide and Junior Lifeguard, he started “working” in both of those positions. No, as an 11-year-old, he does not get paid, but he is getting so much great experience! The swim teachers love him, the head lifeguard and other lifeguards love him, and even the aquatics assistant director loves him. In fact, she has promised to officially hire him as soon as she is able.

He has had some fun experiences with people we know. He was able to aide in a class with our little neighbor around the corner. There was another class with two little boys (about 4 or 5 years old) that LOVED Ryan! Ryan would greet them with, “There are my boys!”

We had another neighbor whose nephew was in a swim class (during one of Ryan’s junior lifeguard shifts). Apparently the little boy decided he didn’t like his swimming class and went to hide out in the showers. Ryan went looking for him and found him there. I don’t know what all Ryan said, but he convinced the little boy to rejoin his class, much to the relief of our neighbor.

The same day that the little boy was “lost,” Ryan also found a princess towel that a child had left. As he was walking down the hall with it, a mom and little girl passed him, and the little girl excitedly exclaimed, “There’s my towel!” Ryan talked with the mom for a minute, giving the lost towel to the relieved little swimmer.

Toward the end of his shift that day, the assistant aquatics director that Ryan loves (Justin), called Ryan into his office. He said, “I heard you had a busy day!” Ryan chuckled. Then Justin gave Ryan a “100 Grand” candy bar with a red piece of paper around it resembling a lifeguard’s “tube,” which said, “Nice Save!”

Ryan is at the pool every day from 7 am to noon! He has swim team from 7-9; WSI aide from 9-10:30; and junior lifeguard from 10:30-noon. Interestingly, many days he comes home for lunch and then goes swimming at a neighbor’s home!

The week of August 1-5, I told Ryan he could take the week off. State swimming championships were over, so the swim team kids were given the option of taking a break from swim team. Ryan was appalled that I would even suggest that he take the week off! I said, “Aren’t you burned out?” Of course not! It’s great to know that he’s doing something he loves!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from his time as a WSI aide…