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Gamsun Project prepares high school youth for lifeguard certifications
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Posted on Feb 17 2021
File photo shows Gamsun Project lifeguards posing with coach Emma Perez. (Contributed Photo)
500 Sails is offering free swim classes for high school youth in preparation for lifeguard certification classes.
The classes are held on Sundays this February and March 2021, from 1pm to 2pm, at the Guma Sakman in Susupe. All levels are welcome. Register on site. Bring a water bottle, swim clothes, a towel, and a friend.
The 500 Sails Gamsun Project started two years ago in response to the need for the community’s youth to be safe in the water while receiving ongoing swim training. To do that, lifeguards were needed. High school youth were recruited and prepared for the lifeguard certification swim test by coach Emma Perez.
In 2018, 12 students passed the swim test. Of these 12, many started as beginner swimmers in the program. Ten went on to pass the waterfront lifeguard certification class. All participated as either lifeguards or assistant teachers for hundreds of youth in Gamsun Project classes from K-12. Four got jobs as lifeguards in Saipan hotels.
Waterfront lifeguard certification requires that participants pass the following swim test on the first day of class:
500-yard (457-meter) swim using front crawl or breaststroke. This is a very big loop around the first tank in the ocean off of the Guma Sakman.
Two-minute tread using legs only. This can be done with fingers in the air, or tucked under your arms.
Retrieve a 10-lb dive weight from 7 feet (a little over 2 meters) deep, surface and swim 20 yards (about 18 meters) with the weight, using legs only and exit the pool within 100 seconds.
Swim 5 yards (about 4.5 meters), submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed five yards apart, resurface, and continue to swim another five yards to complete the skill sequence.
In the past, these tests were given in a combination of open ocean and pool.
This series of Sunday classes will help get high school student swim skills up to a level where they can pass this test.
For more information: email eperez @500sails.org, follow 500 Sails at https://www.facebook.com/500 SailsDolphinClubSaipan, or call Perez at 670-285-4268. (PR)
