On a sunny day in June the cream of the Conistonian crop lined up at Girls Waterfront to take the plunge and show they had what it takes to don the red and white. Over 100 staff would be entering the water to refresh and recertify in the subtle art of lifeguarding.
“Moral is the key to the whole operation,” said Aquatics Director Brackett Lyons. “You lose that and you might as well pack up and head back to the kiddy pool.”
Lyons was in charge of staff lifeguard training and this year he had a harder job than usual. You see, lifeguarding got a facelift this year. For those not deeply entrenched in the minutia of The American Red Cross lifeguard training program, 2024 was a year like any other. But for the crack team of Lifeguard Instructors (LGIs) of Camp Coniston, it marked the transition from the old to the new. The Red Cross updates its training every seven years. That means in a change year every LGI must update their training, study the new saves, and dive deep into both the subtle and overt changes to Lifeguarding practices. The update also meant all new manuals, tests, videos, and training regimens for every lifeguard trainee.
As they gathered barefoot in the grass, Lyons informed his guards that the prerequisite swim test had been upped from 300 yards to 550. Groans were heard up and down the line. Several exasperated utterances of “bro” and “for real?” escaped the staff’s lips.
“It was tense,” said CIT Director and LGI Charlie Levine. “We’ve all had to do that swim, but finding out another 250 yards were added? That was a tough pill to swallow.”
But swallow it they did. Staff showed grit, hutzpa, and even some panache. Once one was in the water the spirit of camaraderie propelled the rest, and in no time everyone was back on the shore a little shorter of breath but taller in mind, body, and spirit. For the next day and a half, staff were in the water and on land learning and fine-tuning their saves and CPR. They practiced drills and worked on their tans. By the end of it, they emerged from the trials as a cohesive unit of modern lifeguarding excellence. From June to August they roamed the waterfronts, patrolled on kayaks and paddleboards, and guarded all who entered the hallowed waters of Lake Coniston.
“It was a great year for guarding,” said Waterfront Director Izzy Pavano. “Everyone worked super hard with all the new requirements.”
Joining the staff guards were the 2024 CITs who endured long hours of lecture and instruction and joined Staff as certified lifeguards. The influx of new talent helps keep Coniston one of the powerhouses of camping aquatic safety. In total 110 lifeguards received a certification from Coniston this summer with dozens more refreshing their skills.
“You need young talent in this game,” said Lyons. “Lifeguarding takes a physical toll. Just look at me. I ain’t what I used to be. I know I’m on the back nine of my career.” At 24, Lyons is perhaps on hole 18. Many wouldn’t be surprised if the long-time guard hung up his trunks and whistle sooner rather than later. “You’ve got to leave the lifeguarding before the lifeguarding leaves you,” he said with eyes fixed on the lake. “Maybe it’s time.”