Hauling out distressed swimmers and lifting people onto long boards — all in moving water — challenges even the strongest at a Sonoma County junior lifeguard camp.
Then comes the hard part, remembering the many steps in medical rescues to keep hearts beating and save lives.
Smart and strong, cool-headed and quick — essential traits for lifeguards and campers in the week-long open water camp on the Russian River in Healdsburg.
"I really like responding to the realistic rescues. Your mental and physical strength really has to be off the charts," said Josie Hoover, 14, of Santa Rosa.
A week on the Russian River completing hours of rigorous rescues and first aid exercises increases campers' fitness and deepens their respect for dangers lurking in the deceptively calm currents.
Athleticism meets alertness."It's awesome knowing I can save someone's life," said 15-year-old Candler Weinberg of Rohnert Park. "I'm going to apply to the lifeguard academy next year.We want to keep the river safe."
In their third camp year, lifeguards-in-training Hoover and Weinberg represent a primary program goal of adding to the open water lifeguard ranks. Both still have much to learn and physical tests to endure to become candidates.
The ultimate aim of the camps is to promote open water safety and awareness. The camps were launched in 2008 by a partnership between Sonoma County Regional Parks and Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks.
"We want our junior guards to come work for us. A lot of them stick with it. But the core goal is we want to spread awareness of safe aquatic behavior," said Ryan Branche, junior lifeguard supervisor for Sonoma County Regional Parks. "Every one of these kids makes our county and waters a safer place."
The program began with one camp on Spring Lake Lagoon. It currently features multiple summer sessions demanding varying levels of ability. The river camp started with the city of Healdsburg three years ago, along with one at Spring Lake that combined lifeguarding and wilderness protection. Then an advanced level was added, also at Spring Lake. New this year is surf camp, on Doran Beach at Bodega Bay.
Repeat campers and a growing wave of young people ready for more than sitting on the beach have created demand for additional camps. This summer, more than 200 participants are expected for the seven camps.
"Each year, participation has grown. The camps give lifetime skills that empower them to be those people making rescues and saving lives," said David Robinson, regional parks aquatics specialist.
The skills campers gain, even at the beginning level at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach this week, is significant. Certified for basic first aid and CPR, graduates also learn swimming and paddle rescues (complete with tube floats and long boards), boating safety and team building, all taught in realistic, repeated scenarios.
On one afternoon, Branche led the Healdsburg group through strength-sapping drills. After hauling exhausted swimmers onto the beach, campers paddled long boards and pulled in swimmers flailing in deeper waters. Both exercises required equal time on the beach providing CPR, setting up rescue breathing and checking vital signs.
Another rescue scenario had campers lock arms and walk in line, sweeping medium deep water with both feet to find a swimmer — this time a weighted dummy — on the bottom.
Even in their third year, Hoover and Weinberg continue to improve their skills. They recognize the challenges of emergency responses on rivers and lakes.
"Growing up, I didn't pay attention to lifeguards. Now I can appreciate the work they do," Hoover said. "The rescues reinforce the importance of what we're learning. I put my trust in all the kids I work with."
The sessions at Spring Lake Lagoon and the Russian River provide different challenges. Swimmer fatigue and murky waters are more common at the lagoon. Uneven bottoms, snags and currents are river dangers.
In all scenarios, quickness is critical to saving lives.
"It's mentally and physically challenging. You have to be alert all the time," Weinberg said.
The camps aren't all work. The end-of-week lifeguard games are highly anticipated.
Beach flag, board rescue races, and swimming and running endurance challenges reveal increased physical conditioning and self-confidence in campers.
"We've got pretty big physical fitness and rescue standards. The games are good tests," Branche said.
Flag races and the beach run are Hoover's favorites.
"They're a reward. I just love the competition."
The iron guard contest is the true test for Weinberg — two beach laps, a 550-yard swim and paddle boarding.
"It's the highlight of the week," he said.
You can reach Staff Writer Michael Coit at 521-5470 or mike.coit@pressdemocrat.com.
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