Wallingford members gain recognised sports qualification
Tuesday 9th May 2017The half term break is normally a time to relax and catch up on unfinished homework. Not so for some Seniors from 1st Wallingford Company. As part of the Challenge Plus programme, Chris and Sophie took up the challenge to gain a recognised sports qualification, the qualification chosen was the ‘National Pool Lifeguard’ Qualification.
During the week, the young people were collected from home at 7:30am and returned home at about 6pm each day. The training took place at a local school pool and lasted for 36 hours of which about 15 hours were in the water. This was then followed by 5 hours of testing, making a 41 hour week, during which they swam almost 3K in sports clothing. They were taught and tested on how to manage a swimming pool and all the safety issues about the operation, as well as how to undertake a range of rescues including the recovery of bodies from the bottom of the pool and how to deal with a swimmer with a spinal injury.
It was a tough course, but following their examination they both passed and are now qualified to work as a lifeguard at the local leisure pool. A manager from the local pool watched them being tested and has invited them to apply for jobs at the centre, which is a fantastic opportunity for them both.
