Australian Lifeguard magazine - Surf Life Saving Australia

a camp experienceyou’ll never forgetLooking for something to do over the Aussie winter?Why not pack your bags and head to the USA as alifeguard at a Summer Camp. Aussie lifeguards are inhuge demand and the experience and fun you’ll havealong the way will stick with you for life. LIFEGUARDcaught up with CASSANDRA MOND, a lifeguard fromVictoria who is heading back to camp for the secondtime this winter, to find out what all the fun is about!QUICK FACTS:Name: Cassandra Mond, Age: 20Lives: Ringwood North, VictoriaLifeguards: Second season with the Australian Lifeguard serviceat Venus Bay, Inverloch, Waratah Bay and Tidal River (WilsonsProm). Also a Pool Lifeguard at Croydon Leisure and AquaticCentre and MSAC (Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre)LIFEGUARD: How did you find out about working as a lifeguardat a USA Summer Camp (SC)?CASSANDRA MOND: I found out when I was in high school.It was something I always said I would love to do but neverpursued it. While I was at work one day I was chatting to afriend and she told me about her camp (Modin) and how shehad a fantastic time and told me to watch the camp DVD.I looked at other camps on the net but decided that Modinwas for me, it offered what I wanted and the camp ground wasamazing! I got in contact with the Camp director by my friendand before you knew it I was I was at camp.LG: What was it about a SC that attracted you? CM: Afterfinishing high school I was burnt out and needed a break.I did first year uni anyway and didn’t enjoy it and wanted todo something different, be independent and travelLG: What was your role? What did you do? CM: My role atCamp was in the waterfront staff and as a general counsellor. Onthe waterfront I was a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor and oncedaily activities finished I was a general counsellor. I lived withmy campers and helped them stay organized, eat and shower.LG: What qualifications did you need to be a lifeguard at the SC?CM: Even though I had all the relevant lifeguard quals in Aus, atcamp we had to get our American Lifeguarding and CPR.LG: Did you need to do any further training when you gotto camp? CM: I arrived at Camp two weeks prior to the kidscoming. The first week was just Lifeguard training which wasreally good but intense at times. We spent three days on thelake practicing deep water spinals. The second week wastraining on how to be a good counsellor and getting to knowthe staff week.LG: How did your skills fare alongside other counsellors atcamp from other countries? CM: Most of the water staff(waterski included) were made up of Aussies and Kiwis.Our skills were very similar and we were a strong team.LG: I know it’s hard to pick, but what was the best part aboutcamp? CM: COLOUR WAR!!!!!!! Colour war was an intense3 days of completion and cheering. The whole camp gets brokeninto 2 teams; Mo (Red) and Din (Blue). It was incredible andwords cant describe how insane the whole experience was!LG: Did you learn any new skills that you’ve been able to bringback to Oz? CM: I’ve never done any deep water spinal training sothat was really valuable and is something I have taken home, alsothat a few other rescue techniques I do a little differently in Aus.LG: Did you share any of your skills from Oz at the camp?CM: I am a loud and proud Aussie so yes. I tried to share all theways you can eat vegemite but my kids wouldn’t eat it!LG: Do the seasons match up nicely between lifeguarding in Ozand SC? CM: It works perfectly because as the Aussie weathergets colder the US gets warmer so it’s a good way to ditch winter!Then when camp finishes and it starts to cool down overseas youcome home to Oz and prepare for yet another Summer. I’ve hadan all year round tan and my mates are totally jealous.LG: What advice do you have for other Oz lifeguards that mightbe thinking of working in a SC? CM: Do it, you only live onceand it’s an experience you will never forget!LG: Any final words of advice? CM: Make sure you tell yourparents you’re planning on going to camp before you sign yourcontracts! And ask around about all camps. There’s thousandsof them and one that will suit everyone!LG: What was your best memory from camp?CM: WININNG MO and DIN! GO MO!!!!!!!LG: What is your favourite camp song?CM: It’s a tie between Eye of the tiger cause that means either apsyche or COLOUR WAR!!!! Or Baby shark! I’d add the lyrics butthere are none its more the actions at make the song! For moreinformation on summer camps visit: www.ccusa.com.augraham ford on...Overseas lifeguarding experience It’s such agreat opportunity for lifesavers and lifeguardsto be able to work overseas in summer campsand in different lifeguard services as well.Aussie Lifeguards are without question the best in the World.Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 21