Rope
swinging into pool marks 50 years in journalism
By
Michael J Morris
When
I was a kid I loved rope swinging into the muddy waters of the Humber River in
Toronto while on Summer vacation there with my Mom.
As
regular readers know, for more than three years now, I spend time almost daily
at the swimming pool, aka Cranbrook Aquatic Centre.
One
of the activities I have most enjoyed watching is the youngsters rope swinging,
and I conduct my own contest selecting a boy and girl winner.. Of course, I
don't announce the winners to anyone, but many of them are darn good at
it.
Anyway,
I guess I mentioned my prowess as a "rope swinger", more or less 60 years ago.
one too many times to the lifeguards, because a few weeks ago, Dane Ries told
me, "We'll make it happen" He meant I was going to be able to get up on the
diving platform and swing out into the pool, just like it was yesterday I last
did it.
My
training began mostly under the direction Jessica Portsmouth, Zach Smith and
Louis Gauer and Dane.
I
had to get used to wearing a life jacket, and they had me roll around in it.
Great fun really. I passed their tests I guess because the date was set for the
rope swing. In the interests of full disclosure I use a noodle while swimming,
but I have a feeling, those days may now be numbered.
Dane
advised me that the swing would take place on August 27 at six p.m. Jessica
followed up with an email in the morning: "The rope swing is still happening at
6, we are all looking forward to it."
I
arrived at the pool a bit earlier than usual and Dane was just completing his
shift, and suggested that I do some warmup laps. When I looked over at the
lifeguard room, it was more crowded than usual, and it struck me that the rope
swing team were all off duty and were showing up to help with my rope swing
attempt.
Trust
me folks. These lifeguards are super, and have made me feel safe and secure
since the first day I started going to the pool after returning from a trip to
Florida where I swam every day.
I
was so touched that they would give up personal time for me to repeat something
I did as a kid.
It
was time to do it, and I headed to the diving platform with Dane, Jessica and my
friend Joel Vinge who had come to take some photos.
Although,
I had told Dane that I didn't think it was necessary to have lifeguards in the
water, two of them were, just in case, and Louis even had his underwater
camera.
Jessica
positioned herself on the diving board while Dane and Zach got me into my life
jacket and gave me instructions.
Up
I went onto the platform with a boost from the guys, who were joined by at least
one other lifeguard who was just off shift.
I
grabbed the rope, edged close to the edge, and for the first time said to
myself, "you crazy fool, what do you think you're doing?"
The
moment passed, I waved at Joel, and said "Let's do it!" And away I went helped
on by a little shove from Dane and Zach, not exactly soaring like the kids, but
the next thing I knew I was in the pool. WOW!
Sometimes
in this life time stops for a moment, and then for much much more than a moment,
and then continues on its merry way. For me, that's the way it was for me, as I
looked around me in the pool, and saw the smiles on the faces of the rope swing
team.
Jessica
summed it all up in an email later with "YOUR BIG DAY" in the subject line.
Indeed it was, thanks to more than a little help from my friends who made it
possible. Thank you so much! And thanks to Joel for being there and my friend
Michael Pelzer for suggesting I start swimming again.
As
an aside, never in my wildest imaginings think that I would be marking the 50th
anniversary of my first job as a daily newspaper reporter with a story about me
swinging on a rope into a swimming pool. But as Tom Brokaw, the longtime anchor
of NBC Nightly News once said, "It's all storytelling, you know. That's what
journalism is all about." My email is mj.morris@live.ca
The
Rope Swing Team from Left Dane Ries. MJM, Zach Smith, Jessica Portsmouth, Louis
Gauer. Photos by Jessica and Joel
Full disclosure: I am not now and never have been a member of the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society; however, I did conduct a workshop for its members for which I was paid.
Full disclosure: I am not now and never have been a member of the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society; however, I did conduct a workshop for its members for which I was paid.
I am totally overwhelmed by response to rope swing, and the kudos to the 'rope swing team' of lifeguards. Thanks all..and Charlie reminded me I used to swing from the CPR trestle into the Chapleau River and Ken invited me to swing into Borden Lake.. Only if the team can come Ken.. LOL.. Happy Labour Day to all
ReplyDelete