Aquamania

Two staff members, dressed in red jogging pants and yellow hoodies, welcomed for us six newbies on poolside. They told us about the sports and adventures the centre offered and that they needed people who could provide lifeguard cover for these activities.

For the adventure activities the visitors were often dressed in warm clothes, and we would have to be prepared for this. Hence our swimming test was to be done fully clothed, shoes and all. The aim was to see how well we could swim in clothes and rescue someone who is also fully clothed.

During canoeing lessons last year I got soaking wet in the sea, but swimming with clothes in a pool as part of a job interview was a new experience for me.

Job Description

The job description included getting into the water a few times a day, either outdoors or in the pool.

We were meant to get fully involved in the activities, not just stand on the side, but always be near the guests, ready to assist with various indoor or outdoor activities on land and in the water.

We should also make sure all wet kit was rinsed in the showers or with the hose pipe. Then we were to put it all into the drying room.

Pool Parties

In the evenings there were often pool parties. We were expected to provide safety cover, but also be part of the entertainment.

The occasional dunking by the guests should be expected. If they want us in the pool, we were to be game for a laugh and get wet in whatever clothes we had on.

Tonight was to be the welcome party for the new guests who may not have been to a pool party before. Often they just stand around the pool side, not sure what to do. If that happens we team leaders should playfully get into the pool, making it clear to the guests that it was fine to jump in dressed as they are. For any pool games we should also act as ice breaker, being the first to play if necessary.

Mandatory Shower

We were reminded to always take a shower before entering the pool, either in our rooms before we got dressed or on poolside. This was for hygiene reasons and to help reduce the load on the pool filters.

It was an odd feeling as we walked over to the showers still wearing all our clothes. I got so excited as we stepped into the showers to deliberately get our clothes wet.

It was nice to see the water flow into our sweatshirts and jeans. We splashed each other until we were completely soaked. My friends looked great in their wet clothes and seemed to enjoy it a lot.

As we entered the pool area a lifeguard took a good look at us and said: "You're fine. Some people don't shower properly. We can tell by checking for dry spots on their clothing."

Pool Assessment

Andy and James decided to practice together. I was asked to swim with Giovanni, a handsome Italian guy who had also applied for a lifeguard job.

We were told to swim 16 lengths fully clothed, 4 lengths in each swimming stroke, breaststroke, backstroke, sidestroke, and front crawl.

We jumped off the diving boards and swam the lengths to warm up. It was exhausting but great fun to swim in clothes.

Then we learned the basic skills how to rescue someone. We practiced several rescue skills, tow someone for 50 meters, including the "clothes tow". You grab hold of the casualty's clothes on their back, just below their arms, so the the clothes form a ring around them which you can tow.

Giovanni said he liked hooded garments as he put his hood up. I told him that I love swimming in my hoodie or anoraks and walking in the rain in a poncho. His face lit up: "Ponchos? Man, they are so hot! I brought a few ponchos along which I'll show you later."

Then the test got harder

Next they asked us to put on those waterproof suits that everybody wears over their clothes during most outdoor activities. We went over to the drying room. Anyone who didn't have their own kit, could choose between one piece coveralls or cagoules and pants. It wasn't easy, but great fun putting the waterproofs on over our heavy wet clothes.

We then swam 250 meters (10 lengths) in the pool with all this kit on. That was even more exhausting but an interesting experience. Water collects in the sleeves and pockets. Climbing out of the water was really heavy, but this was what we should learn and practice often.

Boat Handling

We were asked to keep all clothes on for the whole time, including the waterproofs, so they can see how long it takes us to get exhausted. Climbing into inflatable boats was quite a challenge with all these waterlogged clothes.

Giovanni seemed to enjoy throwing water over me or pushing me out of the boat. I managed to keep his clothes soaked as well by making him swim a few times. His blue jeans and hoodie could be seen through his wet white nylon suit.

We played around for a while, just to relax and have some fun. However, the main purpose was to get used to wearing all these clothes in the water.

We all passed the Test

The management told us that they liked our enthusiasm and we were welcome to join their team. Whoopee! Another wet summer!

Finally we took a shower to rinse the chlorine out of our clothes and hung them up in the drying room.

Comfy Uniforms

Next we were each issued with three sets comfy staff uniforms.

yellow tee-shirts and polo shirts with red shorts,
yellow hoodies with red jogging pants,
red and yellow tracksuit,
matching cagoules and rain pants
one poncho
canvas shoes, socks and boat boots

I asked why we were issued three sets of clothes. Leslie replied: "One to wear, one to dry and one spare. If you need more go to the drying room. You should wear these for all indoor activities, including pool events."

"You mean even in the pool?" I asked.

"Of course," she replied, "you should always be visible as team leader by your group. Try it all out this afternoon before the course starts."

"I'll make sure we do." Giovanni said with a big grin.

We left our wet clothes in the drying room. Wearing only our wet shorts and tee-shirts we picked up our uniforms and luggage from the pool side, and were shown to our staff rooms which had a bath and shower unit much to our delight.

Our Room

Enjoying the view

Andy and James had decided to share one of the staff rooms, rather than share with strangers. I had found a new friend in Giovanni and decided to share with him.

While I went out to do some shopping in the nearby village, Giovanni settled into our room. On my return it immediately became clear that Giovanni had clearly moved in. He had spread his stuff all over. Piles of jeans, tee-shirts and hoodies, anoraks and rain pants, sandals and boots. A few ponchos were hanging on the wall.

He was sitting on the bed, reading a surfing magazine, dressed in nothing but a soft nylon poncho. "Why do you wear a poncho indoors?" I asked.

"When I'm too lazy to get dressed, I just put a poncho on." he replied. "It's a lot more comfy than most other gear. Go on, try one."

He seems to know what is fun or feels good. I did as I was told, shoved my clothes into the wardrobe and put on one of his ponchos. It almost reached down to my ankles, and was made of a very breathable fabric hence it felt really soft and not sticky on my skin.

I huddled up inside the poncho, pulling it down over my feet, while I wondered what fun could be had with this. Giovanni said it was soft and breathable enough to be used as sleepwear on cooler days. Hmm, maybe I should try that tonight.

"You brought a lot of gear." I commented.

"Yes, I want to be prepared for any situation, so I rather bring too much than be short one day," he explained. "You're about my size. Feel free to borrow anything you like or need."

That was an offer I gladly accepted, seeing all this interesting kit lying around.

Giovanni was very much into wet clothes, so I was glad I wouldn't have to hide my passion for a good soaking either.

He said he likes this adventure centre because of their laid back attitude. "You can get wet anytime and dry your kit quickly in the drying room, or run around in wet clothes. Way cool."

Uniformed Swim

A while later Giovanni suddenly remembered that we were to try on our uniforms. He ordered me to get dressed: "Let's go to the pool and swim in our uniforms as Leslie has told us."

I put on the shorts and polo shirt, the jogging pants and hoodie, and then the socks and canvas shoes. This staff uniform felt soft and snug, just the right size.

As we came down to the pool hall with Andy and Steve, Alex arrived to clean the area and Leslie was just leaving. We told her that we were going for the uniformed swim. She suggested we should turn on the sprinklers to make it more interesting. Great idea.

"Are you ready to get wet?" asked Alex. We nodded and he turned on the rain. Within moments we got soaked to the skin in our comfy jogging suits.

Alex too got soaking wet in his work clothes while he got on with his tasks. He seemed to enjoy the refreshing rain.

After a few minutes of bliss in the downpour we jumped into the pool. Wow, the uniform felt really comfy in the water, not too tight, not too loose.

Swimming in the rain is great, even more with clothes on. Next we dressed up in the anorak and rain pants, put the hoods up and went back into the pool.

We climbed into an inflatable boat and capsized it, rolled a kayak and climbed arcoss some ropes over the pool. With all this action, our uniforms stayed the course. Great.

Finally we put on the ponchos. We sat down in the rain for a moment to watch the water run off. Then we slowly walked into the shallow end.

It was interesting how easy it is to swim in a poncho. We chatted for a good while about many exciting things, like what clothes work best for which water activities.

Then it was time join the others for dinner. Alex turned off the sprinker and after a shower we got dressed for the Welcome Party in the pool hall.

Wacky Watersports Magazine

Initial Briefing and Water Test