Staff Training

Once a week was staff training, always great fun and a laugh. We started off with a few lengths warm-up swimming just in swim wear, like our uniform shirts and shorts. Some of the tough guys wore their jogging pants for that.

Then we put on our jogging suits and practiced rescue skills. This was an important part of the staff training. We had to keep up to speed with our rescue skills, like the various casualty tows and initiative tests.

Finally we put on the outdoor kit, like rain pants and long cagoules. We then practiced rope crossings, maybe some boating, or tried to climb up the free climbing wall above the pool. This was usually the most fun part.

To make this more interesting and to add the realism of bad weather, one staff member got the big hose pipe out and sprayed us with cold water as we climb around. The waterproof kit kept most of it off, but not all.

With the heavy waterlogged clothes it was not easy to hold on to the wall or the ropes, and we often fell back into the warm pool.

After staff training we often relaxed in the shallow end of the pool, talking it all through. Then we went to the showers and rinsed all our kit before drying off.

Nico's Water Test

Just as I had changed into my cosy dry jogging suit after our swim, the phone rang. Joey was on the line.

"Felix, can you do a water test for me? I've got this guy here who wants to work with us and I want to know if he floats."

"No problem," I replied as I grabbed my yellow anorak. "I'll be in the pool hall right away."

Meeting on Poolside

On pool side Joey introduced me to Nico, a skinny guy, about 20 years old. Joey asked me to explain the whole game plan and do the rescue test with him, with me acting as casualty. Then Joey left.

"What brings you here?" I asked to break the ice.

"Well, I like swimming and adventure sports. My friends said this is a totally rad place."

"Indeed, they're right," I confirmed and explained to him how the centre works and what we do. He took off his anorak and hoodie as it was quite warm in the pool hall, but kept on his jeans and beige tee-shirt.

"Did you bring any clothes for the water test?" I finally asked.

"Erm, no." he said slowly, "Can wear what I have on now? Is that alright?"

"Sure, whatever. But first you take a shower. Let me show you where it is. We always take a shower in our swimming kit before we enter the pool."

He slowly stepped into the shower, then looked back at me with a big smile. "This is way cool!" he said as the warm water ran through his tee-shirt and jeans. "Are you not showering?"

"I've just been in the pool. No need to shower again," I explained. "Are you used to swimming in clothes?"

He smiled and said: "Not really. Only tee-shirts and shorts. Jeans sometimes."

"Then swimming in full adventure kit will be quite a new experience for you." I said to him with wink.

Pool Test - Part 1

We went back to the pool where another team was practicing rescue skills. Nico dived in and swam a few warm-up lengths in his tee-shirt and jeans, using different swimming strokes for each set of four lengths.

I walked along the poolside to check out how well he could do this. He was quite a good swimmer whom we could use in our team.

After a few lengths he climbed out of the pool, we sat down on the deck chairs for a drink of fruit juice and talked about the way this adventure centre works.

"Do you sometimes swim in your jogging suit?" he asked as he dried his hair with a towel.

"Yes, almost daily. It is our staff uniform." I explained. "We need to be visible and should wear it on poolside and in the pool during the training sessions or other events we offer our guests. For some fast paced games we only wear the polo shirts and shorts. For boating we also have matching anoraks and pants."

He looked at me and asked: "Is it hard to swim in a jogging suit?"

"It's harder than jeans and tee-shirt, but very comfy." I explained. "We don't move around as much as the guests. The whole suit keeps us warmer than shorts and polo shirt alone."

"I've never done this before, like swimming in a full jogging suit." he said and paused for a moment. "Can I try it now?"

"Sure. Come along. I'll get you one."

Pool Test - Part 2

We went to the drying room to fetch a hooded jogging suit in his size. He took off his wet jeans and put on the jogging suit over his wet tee-shirt.

"Alright, jump in and be surprised" I suggested.

"After you," he said, "I want to see how you swim in your jogging suit first."

'Cheeky devil' I thought to myself. "You have to find a way to get me into the pool," I said as I put my hood up.

We walked back on poolside. Suddenly he grabbed hold of me and hurled me backwards into the pool. That came as a big surprise, but it felt so good to swim in my clothes.

"Your turn now," I said, "jump in and learn." He hesitated, looked at the jogging suit he wore, then took a big leap into the pool.

"Whoa! This feels heavy!" he shouted as he surfaced.

I showed him some rescue tows and he eventually managed to tow me for two pool lengths. He was quite exhausted after about 20 minutes of swimming in heavy clothes, yet the best was still to come.

"So, what you think?" I asked.

"Well, it's great fun, but quite a work out," he replied while catching his breath.

Pool Test - Part 3

We got out of the pool and hung the jogging suits up to dry. Then we put on track suits and water proof clothes on top.

I told Nico that this is the usual outdoor outfit for staff and guests. The purpose of this test was to see how he would cope with all out action for half an hour or more, dressed in full adventure kit.

"Why do we wear track suits instead of the cotton jogging suits?" Nico asked.

I explained that cotton gets cold quickly when outdoors. Manmade fibres don't hold as much water and thus keep you warmer. The waterproofs keep the windchill away. We also put on socks and special canvas boots which were reserved for pool use only.

"What are the boots for?" he asked.

"You'll be surprised what difference they make." I said with a knowing smile.

Once we were all zipped in with the hoods up, we picked an inflatable boat and paddled into the middle of the pool. We stood up in the wobbly boat, holding on to each other by the shoulders. We could just about keep our balance.

"Are you ready for a big splash?" I asked.

"Can't wait, go for it," he replied with a big smile, showing his excitement. A little push from me and we both fell into the pool. The air in the clothes made us float for a while.

As we climbed back into the boat, GiovannI appeared on poolside, looking good in his white tee-shirt and grey jogging pants.

"Are you guys having fun?" he asked as he headed for the drying room.

"Sure," I replied, "come in and join us." Without hesitation he turned towards the pool, dived in and swam over to our boat. He climbed in and quickly tipped it over. A wild game followed with us all trying to climb into the boat and not get pushed out again.

"You're at an unfair advantage," said Nico to Giovanni, "because you wear only tee-shirt and pants, no adventure gear."

"Indeed. I just jumped in as I was, before getting properly dressed. How thoughtless of me."

We all got out of the pool and went to the drying room to find him some kit. Then we saw some ponchos still dripping wet from an earlier adventure. GiovannI put on a grey hoodie and a white poncho.

Poncho Fun

"Have you ever worn a poncho in the water?" I asked Nico while I swapped my anorak for a poncho.

"No, never had a chance," he replied while taking off the waterproof clothes. GiovannI smiled: "Then now is the time. Put this one on."

Nico carefully pulled the poncho over his head and pulled down to his knees over his wet clothes.

"Make sure it doesn't float over your head when you're in the water. Use the waist band if you like." said Giovanni.

Back at the shallow end of the pool Nico slowly waded into the water, watching as the poncho floated up around his legs. As he was waist deep in the water, he pushed his arms out through the sides and held the poncho down as he continued to go in shoulder deep. Then he swam to the deep end.

He was surprised: "Hey, swimming in a poncho is easier than I thought."

"Welcome to our Poncho Swimming Team!" GiovannI said laughing.

Nico joins the Lifeguard Team

We splashed around for a while until Joey came into the pool hall. "Looks like you got Nico fully kitted out. How did the swim test go?" he asked.

"Yes, pretty well." I replied, "He can swim fully clothed just fine, and his rescue skills are up to speed."

"Good," said Joey to Nico, "see me in my office when you're done swimming, and I'll check you in and give you three sets of uniforms."

"Why three uniforms?" asked Nico.

"Well, you sometimes get a bit wet here," explained Joey, "ask Felix."