Sally
Beach Fanatic
From Walton Sun
Within the next few weeks, South Walton residents will see lifeguards training on the beach.
Under the direction of Gary Wise, South Walton?s new lifeguard program is getting off its feet. Wise was instrumental in helping Destin initiate a United States Life Guards Association program.
?South Walton will take on similar or higher standards,? he said.
The first order of business is hiring 24 lifeguards.
Applicants will be required to complete a 500 meter swim and one and a half mile beach run. Those selected will be trained in board rescue, managing swim areas and swimming and rescue techniques.
A full-time, seasonal position, lifeguarding is a good introduction for someone who wants to be a firefighter or split time between other seasonal jobs, such as ski instructing, Wise said.
Though the lifeguards are the foundation of the program, equipment, like rescue boards and towers, still needs to be purchased.
?It?s like opening a business,? Wise said.
The most invaluable tool for the program will be the ?synergy? between local agencies, businesses and residents to provide tourists with education, Wise explained.
?It?s about everyone working together ? beach vendors, the condo associations and the surfers,? he said.
Eventually, Wise hopes to create a South Walton beach ?culture? embracing the business and sport of lifesaving, which includes swimming, board paddling, sea boat paddling and surfboat rowing.
As the president of the Emerald Coast Chapter of the Junior Lifeguard program, he would like to have more lifesaving events geared towards children throughout the local area.
?It gives kids another sport and benefits them because they know how to save lives,? he said.
A native of Sydney, Wise explained Australians have a different approach to beach activities. Children often get involved with lifesaving at a very early age.
?It?s like kids (in America) getting into baseball,? he said.
For more than 30 years, Wise has been involved with lifesaving activities. He is a USLA member and academy instructor and Surf Lifesaving Australia Certified Instructor. Amidst other accomplishments, he is a World Lifesaving Master Surfboat Champion and United States Surf Rowers Association President.
Until now, lifesaving has never been Wise?s primary job. A PGA golf professional and trainer in the Destin area, he will now focus his efforts entirely on the burgeoning program.
?My life so far, coaching has been my job and surf lifesaving was for sport. Now lifesaving will be my primary occupation,? he said. ?One hundred percent of my efforts will go into the lifeguard program.?
Within the next few weeks, South Walton residents will see lifeguards training on the beach.
Under the direction of Gary Wise, South Walton?s new lifeguard program is getting off its feet. Wise was instrumental in helping Destin initiate a United States Life Guards Association program.
?South Walton will take on similar or higher standards,? he said.
The first order of business is hiring 24 lifeguards.
Applicants will be required to complete a 500 meter swim and one and a half mile beach run. Those selected will be trained in board rescue, managing swim areas and swimming and rescue techniques.
A full-time, seasonal position, lifeguarding is a good introduction for someone who wants to be a firefighter or split time between other seasonal jobs, such as ski instructing, Wise said.
Though the lifeguards are the foundation of the program, equipment, like rescue boards and towers, still needs to be purchased.
?It?s like opening a business,? Wise said.
The most invaluable tool for the program will be the ?synergy? between local agencies, businesses and residents to provide tourists with education, Wise explained.
?It?s about everyone working together ? beach vendors, the condo associations and the surfers,? he said.
Eventually, Wise hopes to create a South Walton beach ?culture? embracing the business and sport of lifesaving, which includes swimming, board paddling, sea boat paddling and surfboat rowing.
As the president of the Emerald Coast Chapter of the Junior Lifeguard program, he would like to have more lifesaving events geared towards children throughout the local area.
?It gives kids another sport and benefits them because they know how to save lives,? he said.
A native of Sydney, Wise explained Australians have a different approach to beach activities. Children often get involved with lifesaving at a very early age.
?It?s like kids (in America) getting into baseball,? he said.
For more than 30 years, Wise has been involved with lifesaving activities. He is a USLA member and academy instructor and Surf Lifesaving Australia Certified Instructor. Amidst other accomplishments, he is a World Lifesaving Master Surfboat Champion and United States Surf Rowers Association President.
Until now, lifesaving has never been Wise?s primary job. A PGA golf professional and trainer in the Destin area, he will now focus his efforts entirely on the burgeoning program.
?My life so far, coaching has been my job and surf lifesaving was for sport. Now lifesaving will be my primary occupation,? he said. ?One hundred percent of my efforts will go into the lifeguard program.?
