Oh, what a surprise! A journalist branding the volunteer work at the swimming lake De Kuil in Prinsenbeek as "boring and exhausting." Thanks for this 'objective' take on the work of lifeguards, Trouw. Clearly you're doing everything you can to offer a broad spectrum of information. (Sarcasm, in case that wasn't already obvious.)
Of course, why would we focus on the countless hours volunteers put in to safeguard the safety and enjoyment of swimmers? Or on the moments when lifeguards like Samantha van Aert scan the water with a sharp eye and step in whenever it's needed? No, let's be sure to highlight how she secretly watches Formula 1, because yes, taking your eyes off the water for a single second is surely the reason drownings have ever happened... (I hope the sarcasm is clear.)
And let's talk about that "propaganda" from the Nationale Raad Zwemveiligheid. How dare they suggest that the lack of school swimming might be a problem? As if that could possibly be the solution to the decline in swimming certificates.
With thanks to a good friend and colleague, who added these wise words:
"Did you know drownings have declined since the 1990s? And how strange: (sarcasm) that since that same time, commercial swimming schools have taken on a substantial share of teaching people to swim?
And also: thanks to the arrival of commercial swimming schools, many indoor and outdoor pools can stay open at all — after all, water is rented out to commercial parties for ridiculously high sums 😇
Oh, and by then most schools were no longer to be found in the pool anyway. So it's not down to school swimming!
Gosh, we're doing a great job, aren't we!"
Swimming ability matters in a country surrounded by water. So let's focus on swimming lessons for everyone — at a pool, a swimming club, a swimming school, or in open water.
As someone who worked as a lifeguard at Baarns Bosbad for 14 years, I can confirm that this work is anything but boring. You get the chance to safeguard other people's safety, to use your creativity to get through rainy days, and even to come up with fun games for the swimmers. It almost sounds like... fun? Or better yet, a holiday that you actually get paid for, because your work is also your hobby. And who wouldn't want that?
So, a call to everyone considering becoming a volunteer: dive in at the deep end and become a lifeguard! Discover just how rewarding and challenging this work can be, despite what some journalists would have you believe. A whole new world will open up for you! 🌟
Thank you to all the volunteers who, despite the challenges, show up ready to help every single day. You make the difference!
There — and now back to real life, where volunteers make the difference and the work is anything but boring. 🌊🕶️
This is a response to the following article:
Photo: Bosbad de Vuursche
And thanks to Monique for the check and additions
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