Sunset Cove. Rookie School

Chapter 7 Bridget's Informational Speech

Bridget had made her way to the front. She looked her way across her new family for the year. Some would make it and some wouldn’t the weeks ahead were grueling, especially to those not used to it. The tables would diminish significantly as the time passes. Like she had said before, “Most come out here to the ocean thinking it’s like lifeguarding at the city pool. When they are sadly mistaken they make their way back home and on to a new career. The one thing they can say however is they had the guts to try.

She sighed a quiet sigh and took the microphone from its stand.

At this time everyone should have found their seats and the salads should be arriving at the tables. We have quite a bit to cover about the weeks ahead so you just go on with dinner and eat while you listen.

Tonight’s banquet was set up to make extra time where we can continue to grow as a team. This is what it takes to make it at Sunset Cove. We all need each other. Don’t be foolish or try to show off. It gets people killed.

If you are faced with a situation in which you feel overwhelmed or that you just can’t handle alone. Grab a teammate that’s what we’re here for. We want to make our beaches the safest ones around.

So people can relax, have fun, and most of all come back year after year. Just for the atmosphere and knowing they are safe on our beautiful beaches and in our waters.

Some bring their kids. Others are teenagers looking for a place to party, some are trying to find a private place to make out, and some come to surf. No matter why they are here they are our responsibility. To ensure they are safe on our beaches and as well as in our waters. That they make it home because we have cared enough to make this happen.

There are surfing contests once a month. Whoever wins make the cover of Surfer Magazine. We have some of the biggest waves here at Sunset Cove. Although these surfers have fun and everyone wants to ride the best wave. The one and only thing you have to remember is something they already know when they sign up. These waves are dangerous and at this time of the month you have to be ready for almost anything. Pair up, triple up, and make sure this remains a safe place.

Throughout your time here the girls will have sleepovers with their teams and at time all the teams girls. This is a time for all you girls to get to know each other better. Find out someone’s favorite color. Put a name with a new face, do your nails with someone you’ve never met, or just hang out and talk. You rely on each other so get to know one another.

You guys out there will enjoy bonding sessions with all night sports on the Television and in the gym were we have it all. Even an Olympic size pool.

You must stay fit and work out with a partner for the safety of our lifeguards. You must work together at all times male or female. This makes us the teams that can keep the beach safe with strong water, currents, and waves.

There is also the beach itself and you’d be surprised at some of the things that go one there. Just when you think you’ve seen it all. Something you aren’t expecting will come right up and bite you in the ass. Just keep your binoculars in hand at all times make sure you are making a wide sweep with those eyes covering multiple territory’s. You also will be given walkie talkies for your stands. Also, keep in mind that the leads have these with them at all times no matter where they are on the beach itself.

Babies get lost. People bury someone in the sand get drunk and forget all about them. Third degree sunburns (no sunblock). Then of course your heavy drinkers that black out, want to starts fights, and there are some that are just plum idiots. There is just no other way to put it. I can’t run you down a list of things that I have seen just in the two years since I came on board as an official lifeguard there are just too many. These are just a few of them that I, myself, have encountered along my way. I’m sure if you set down with some of the veterans that have been patrolling these waters for years they will all have their own battle-scars.

Some of you will also deal with theft. There are vendors all up and down the boardwalk. If you’ve been chosen for security purposes you already know who you are. I am not over you guys you will have your own group of supervisors. If you take anything at all away from this meeting tonight; I hope that it will be to work together and get to know each other well. You will never know when you may have to save each other’s lives. Believe me as a lifeguard I want to know someone has my back no matter what happens out there.

Just keep an eye out not only for the surrounding guests, but also for each other. Although your wonderful swimmers (or you wouldn’t be here at all) It can get scary out there even sometimes for us. So if you feel panicked, grab the person who’s with you for help.

If possible you need 2 but 3 would always be better when you’re going in the water for a save. So watch for which of your partners need you and be there. Let’s go out there WORK HARD, PLAY HARD, AND BE STRONG. Remember day after tomorrow training starts. “Good Luck to all of you “ROOKIES” and all you “VETERANS” keep your ears peeled and your eyes open.

Don’t forget about the bon fire tomorrow night. Now we’re going to turn up the music, enjoy the good food, and the drinking. Let’s all dance the night away. Find your leaders and introduce yourselves make sure they know who you are. I can’t stress the importance of it enough! Have fun and if I don’t see you again tonight I’m sure we’ll run into each other someplace tomorrow.

“Turn up the music and let’s get this P-A-R-T-Y started.