Very Proud Valarino Pop? That's more like it!

Most of you may not know I am nuts about my kids. I could go on forever about the things that I admire about my children. (When I am in a good mood I quickly dismiss their faults!) I could tell you all about my Amazon 12-year old daughter who is now as tall as her mother or I could tell you all about my tough little 16-year old son. Let me tell you about the tough little guy:

It just so happens that Xavier has become a lifeguard. I'm not talking about a Junior Lifeguard or a Pool Lifeguard. I'm talking about a bona fide Southern California Beach Lifeguard who will be working in some of the most popular Southland beaches this summer. What makes it really amazing is that he was ranked first in his Cadet class of 26 whittled down from some 60 try-outs who got cut-out on the physical competitions or simply quit the rigorous 5 week program. The Cadets got ranked based on points for physical competitions, attendance and knowledge of life-saving techniques. Cadets get job offers for the summer and preferential schedules based on their ranking. Xavier will have his pick of the schedule which is a good thing since he will be also attending his High School Water-Polo Team Summer Camp which will take a good part of his summer mornings.

I was lucky enough to watch the final physical competition last Saturday which involved a run-swim-stairclimb-swim, repeat-three-times circuit that I know I cannot complete. He was easy to pick because he was the smallest of the Cadets and he was in the front of the pack. He came in fourth on that competition. He really nailed the competition during the final life-saving test which consisted of an unknown, simulated, high-stress scenario on the beach involving a "victim" with a nasty bloody gash, that he had to provide first aid to, while an over-excited "relative" tried to distract him. Meanwhile, behind him, another "victim" was drowning; He kept his cool and performed like a pro, nailing all the procedures and radio code calls. He was one of the few Cadets that kept alert, responded properly to the priorities and rescued the drowning "victim."

Speaking of pro's, some of his fellow Cadets are professional surfers looking for a regular job like this poser* who Xavier bested in all competitions. Most of the Cadets are High School kids including two of his best friends he has known since elementary school. We call them The Three Musketeers. This summer they will be working the beach together as lifeguards! How cool is that?

I was really lucky last year when I challenged Xavier to the Newport Pier-to-Pier 2-mile ocean swim, knowing that it was probably the last time I could get out of the water in front of him. We trained together during the spring and he was easily making 50 yards on me for every 1000 we completed. I was lucky because the water was unusually chilly the day of the event and he was recovering from a cold so he did not complete it, giving me the first and only chance to win this father-son competition. I will never again beat him in any kind of waterman competition but I know he can rescue me if I ever get into trouble. How cool is that?

So if you get into trouble while visiting one of these Southland beaches and a small, skinny kid dressed like a lifeguard, comes to your rescue, have no fear! You are dealing with one the strongest, most knowledgeable , most dedicated, cool-under-pressure lifeguards on the beach!

*Just kidding Chuck! When are you going to teach us kite-surfing?

Labels: ramble