Des Plaines Park District Lifeguards Bring Home the Gold

Des Plaines Park District Mystic Waters Lifeguards took First Place in the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association State Lifeguard Games, August 4, at Portage Park Pool in Chicago. Thirty-four teams competed in nine different events including relays, skills, and endurance tests. Team 1 consisting of John Swoboda, Josh Swoboda, Casey Cullen and Alli Ellwood finished in first place overall with a final score of 81 points.

Contributing to their success were high scores in the two-person rescue, the submerged and unconscious guest rescue, performed with a mannequin, the cold weather relay and the Spinal Injury Management event where the lifeguards perform a spinal injury rescue of a “victim.” The Spinal event focuses on the guard’s knowledge and skill of proper in-line stabilization and backboard techniques and safe extrication of the “victim.”

The Des Plaines Park District also sent an additional team to the Games this year; Team 2 consisting of Jason Mata, Matt O’Hagan, Kathleen Walsh and Karen Nakano put forth a great effort, placing 8th overall.

Desiree van Thorre, Aquatics and Youth Programs Supervisor said, “The Games are designed to test the lifeguards skills, strength, speed, endurance and most importantly, their ability to work as a team. This is a voluntary event, and this year, only half of the guards were veterans of the Games. It was an exciting win and I am very proud of them.”

The IPRA Lifeguard games are a friendly competition that encourages each guard to rise to personal and team challenges, practice their craft, and learn from other guards. To represent a Park and Recreation Agency in these games a lifeguard must have worked for that agency for at least 40 hours summer of 2012. “When other Park District’s see that Des Plaines is attending, they know instantly that we are here to compete and win,” said Mata.

closes for the season on August 26. Swimmers can then get wet at the Rosemont Pool, 6101 Ruby Street in Rosemont. For information about times and fees call 847-823-6685, for information about group and private less ons for children and adults visit www.DPParks.org.