its communism...rewarding the "party" people...not the ones who deserve it...
Could NPR have picked up the story not knowing it was satire? I can't believe anybody could be this stupid.
You cannot be an effective or even a SAFE lifeguard if you are not an excellent swimmer, completely at home in the water. When you go in after somebody (and even with reach-row-throw-go, eventually you will have to), you are going to be working for two, the victim is going to be in a panic and probably trying his best to drown you. You can't be thinking about swimming, all your brain power and strength will be needed to talk the victim into letting you help him or in a worst case overpowering him.
You can't turn poor swimmers into lifeguard-capable swimmers during the course of one summer. I was always happy to get them drownproofed and moving effectively through the water on their own.
- WSI, Red Cross and BSA Lifeguard certified.