I started working as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce just over a year ago. At first, it was just a job, but it quickly became something much more meaningful to me. During the school year, I usually teach about 7 lessons a week, and in the summer that number jumps to around 15. Over time, I’ve taught roughly 200 students, from young kids learning to float for the first time to adults who never thought they could swim.
What I like most about teaching is that every swimmer is different. Some kids are fearless, and others are terrified of even stepping into the pool. I’ve taught children with autism, kids with Down syndrome, and even a 56 year old woman who was recovering from a bad concussion and wanted to learn how to swim lengths of the pool. She was one of my first private lessons. She was scared of the water and wouldn’t even put her head under at first.
By the end of one set of lessons, she was swimming front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke, and could complete multiple lengths confidently. Seeing her transform in such a short time showed me how powerful patience and encouragement can be. Every student has their own challenges, but what they all have in common is the moment it finally clicks, that first time they realize they can do it. Watching their confidence grow is something I’ll never forget.
When I started, I thought the job would mostly be about technique and safety, but it turned out to be just as much about patience, communication, and empathy. Some lessons take weeks before improvement happens. I learned to slow down, explain things differently, and keep students motivated even when they wanted to give up. That’s when I started to understand that being a good instructor isn’t just about teaching swimming, it’s about helping people believe in themselves.
There have also been moments that reminded me how serious lifeguarding really is. I’ve had to respond to two real emergencies, one involving a swimmer who had a seizure and another where someone stopped breathing. In both cases, my training took over. I cleared the pool, called for help, and did what needed to be done. Afterward, I realized how important staying calm under pressure really is. Those moments were heavy, but they taught me what true responsibility feels like.
Working at the YMCA has given me more than just work experience. It’s taught me how to stay composed when things get stressful, how to lead without yelling, and how to support people who are scared or struggling. Lifeguarding showed me that leadership doesn’t always mean being in charge, sometimes it just means being the steady person others can count on. This job has shaped the way I approach challenges in and out of the pool. It taught me how much a little patience and care can change someone’s day, or even their life.
