Meet Kebba.
A local lad, with a passion for sport.
From a very young age, Kebba has been big on physical fitness. Inspired, no doubt, by former athletics coaches and time spent in and around leisure centres.
Our story begins in the Summer of 2023.
Kidsgrove Sports Centre puts out a facebook post to advertise a forthcoming Lifeguard Course.
Kebba applies immediately.
He knows this is his chance to turn his passion into a career.
The test
Now, in order to be accepted on the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ), you have to be confident in the water. You must demonstrate a definite ability.
And you have to pass an initial assessment – The Lifeguard Fitness Test.
Specifically, you have to be capable of:
• Swimming 50m in under 60 seconds;
• Performing a head first surface dive;
• Treading water for 30 seconds; and
• Swimming 4 lengths continuously (2 on your front and 2 on your back).
But Kebba’s a fit lad. Always has been.
This should surely be a breeze.
The problem
There is one slight obstacle standing in Kebba’s way.
He can’t swim.
Wait a minute. What?
No. Not even a width.
Guess what? He fails the assessment.
So why, you may well ask, does he apply to be a lifeguard? There are, after all, many other avenues in the leisure industry that don’t require the need to swim.
Well, ladies and gents, it’s simple.
Because it’s his dream. His passion.
And when you have that fire in your belly, there’s not much that can stand in your way.
There’s no such thing as ‘can’t’.
The helping hand
Everyone at the Centre is completely blown away by Kebba’s sheer determination.
It’s rare to see that level of resolve in one so young.
We just have to help him get to where he wants to be.
So we decide to offer him a free 3-month membership—on the proviso that he comes to the Centre every day to learn how to swim. One of our swim teachers also offers to teach Kebba the basics.
And after four weeks of practicing font crawl and breaststroke, he finally completes his first length of the pool.
For the next two months, Kebba comes to every 11am lane swim and swims length after length.
He begins to get faster.
And faster.
Edging ever closer to that all important 60-second 50m swim.
The transformation
Three months in and Kebba’s transformation is astonishing.
He passes his assessment with flying colours, completing the 50m swim in just 47 seconds.
What an achievement.
The future
Today, Kebba is employed as a Leisure Attendant at the Centre. He’s also pursuing his NVQ and stepping into a promising career in the fitness industry.
Kebba’s journey from non-swimmer to a qualified lifeguard is testament to his dedication and relentless spirit.
He continues to amaze us. He’s hardworking, resolute and a bit of a comedian to boot. A great addition to the team.
Well done, Kebba. We are immensely proud of you.
