I believe in…

Swimming is something that you will never forget and can save your life. It is a way of life. It is what I believe in.
It all started when I was as tall as a yardstick. Thinking about three feet water scared me. The idea of thousands of gallons of water enveloping my body was frightening. At the time, it was worse than the idea of quick sand, at least with quick sand you could fight your death. I feared slipping below the surface of the water, not knowing how to fight my way back up. I was enrolled in swimming lessons to face my fears and gain strength and confidence until I was able to propel myself through the water; water that once seemed like a death sentence. As the years progressed, I took my swimming life to new heights. I joined a serious swim team where there were others who believed in swimming as much as I did. I loved the adrenaline rush that torrents my body when I was in a swimming race.

I am a lifeguard and swim instructor and take pride in knowing that I can educate young kids about water safety and eliminate their fear of the water. I really didn’t take my job too seriously, until two months ago. I was sitting in the elevated chair, keeping my eye on the pool, scanning the water for any signs of distressed swimmers. However, this day was anything but ordinary. It happened so suddenly, like a flash flood in the middle of a sunny, summer day. A kid was running on the pool deck, slipped and fell in the deep end of the pool. Even though it happened so fast, I saw it all in slow motion; his feet thrown in the air, his body tilting towards the pool side, his forehead hitting the gutter on the way in. I blew my whistle louder than ever before. The same adrenaline rush feeling during a swimming race was streaming throughout my body. By the time I swam to the distressed child who fell in the deep end, he was fully underwater. Countless hours of training was manifested in my quick rescue. Around this time, the boy’s mother came faster than a speeding bullet to her son. She did not see what happened, so I explained and she gave me her gratitude for saving her son. After the day’s events, she came up to me and gave me a big hug. I felt like a hero. Something as simple as swimming can save someone’s life. We chatted and we both agreed that it would be best if the boy enrolled in swimming lessons. It reminded me when I was in his shoes, taking swimming lessons for the first time. Maybe one day he will be in my shoes saving someone in deep water.

Clearly, swimming is something I believe in. Swimming is more than just being able to keep your head afloat when the water gets too deep. It’s a lifestyle that can impact your life in a variety of ways as it did mine. I believe it’s one of the only sports that promote a balanced mind and body for an entire lifetime. I believe in this lifestyle; I believe in swimming.