By Elena Coe-Mcnamara
Staff Writer
This year, three Costa students made their dreams a reality when they battled against hundreds of competitors and ocean conditions in the 2015 Los Angeles County lifeguard swim test and succeeded.
On September 12, 2015, Costa seniors Nate Griffith, Davis Pratt, and Jake Tolt passed the L.A. County Lifeguard Test. The swim test was taken at Dockweiler Beach and was followed by an interview in Manhattan Beach. The exam is given at the end of every summer after young applicants have completed their Junior (Jr.) Guard’s Cadet program and training.
“The ocean was warm and flat which made it more difficult for me to complete the swim,” said Tolt. “I get better results when the water is rough and uncomfortable, since I’m more use to that kind of water.”
The process begins with applicants submission of a ‘Swim Certificate,’ stating that they can swim a continuous 1000 meters in a pool. After submission, applicants must pass the 1000 meter ocean swim test. A series of smaller tests follow, which include dive tests, written tests, and smaller swim tests. After passing every one of these, applicants receive an invitation to the 100 hour Lifeguard Training Program in May.
“The hardest part was the mental game before the swim so I just kept trying to think of making it and how good it would feel once it was over,” said Tolt.
To prepare for the test, the Los Angeles County recommends training with a club or school swim team. In addition to this, it is recommended that applicants swim on their own time 3 to 5 days every week. According to Tolt, he, Pratt, and Griffith prepared mostly through their summer water polo training and practices.
“Water polo is one of the most mentally challenging sports you’ll play,” said Coach Reichardt. “When you’re put in situations, like the lifeguard test, a lot of it is mental and if you’re trying to get past people and they’re on top of you, the swimmers who play waterpolo are used to that.”
According to Griffith, all three applicants who took and passed the test have been doing Jr. Guards for many years. Pratt and Tolt have done Jr. Guards for 7 years, and Griffith for 9 years. The program prepared them with the necessary techniques for emergencies that may occur, making them stronger and more fit for lifeguarding.
“I feel like I had an advantage in the test because I was a cadet for a whole summer,” said Pratt. “It was great training and gave me experience.”
According to the boys, all three were inspired by family members to become lifeguards.
Tolt and Griffith’s fathers were both lifeguards, which played a major role in their aspirations to become lifeguards. Pratt was inspired after his brother became a lifeguard last year, and recommended it to him.
“I really enjoy being at the beach and having the ability to keep it safe so that everyone can continue to enjoy it,” said Griffith.
According to the three boys, they plan to lifeguard until they are out of college. After that, they are unsure whether or not they will continue, but know that it is a good secondary job to have.
“Lifeguarding is something I want to do when I come home from college in the summers, but if all other plans for the future fail, it’s a great backup plan that I can always come back to,” said Tolt.
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