A near drowning when I was very young, gave me a great fear of water. School swimming lessons, in the old original pool, did very little to encourage me, or stop that dread. Through my teens and easly adult life, I was unable to join in with water fun. One summer, I took my family to Portland where wind surfing lessons were available. I was up for it but a sensible "can you swim?" question stopped me in my tracks.
So, I decided to have swimming lessons when my daughters were having theirs. Lee Hodges took me under her wing and with great patience helped me to overcome my fear. Once able to swim, Lee suggested some lifesaving to make it more interesting. From that point, I improved my skills, qualified as a lifesaving teacher and having joined the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), undertook my open water swim and test including the bronze medallion. This test I took again in 2000 for the Millennium medal.
Whilst still in the 1960's pool, I passed my lifeguarding exam, which I kept updated until I could no longer manage the timed swims, a vital part of the exam. I was asked if I wanted to be a swimming teacher. Why not I thought, having had a great fear of water for 35 years came in use when coaxing timid children to swim. I'd been there and got the t-shirt.
So, a new pool in Yeovil opened, Goldenstones. I began by teaching for Yeovil Swimming Club in the little pool on a voluntary basis. When offered employment at the pool, I agreed and taught on a regular basis. Livesaving was and still in my passion, I taught for many years for Yeovil Lifesaving Club, and taught the Rookie Lifeguard programme in Yeovil and Crewkerne.
Through teaching Lifesaving I became interested in the first aid element and became a qualified First Aid Instructor teaching first aid at work. These skills, especially CPR and the use of a defibulator, I pass on to the children and local groups in the area.
I now teach at Goldenstones covering shifts as required. I still get a buzz from the children, it's not what I give the pupils, it's what they give back.
That's why!