I've been dreading writing this for about a year now, what to put in, what to leave out.
Twenty one years ago, on the 3rd of November, a gang of lifeguards started lifesaving & lifeguard classes, under a nickname that stuck; sthoee. We were told it wouldn't work, every conceivable obstacle was put in our way.
Since then tens of thousands of kids and adults have learned first aid, lifesaving & Lifeguard skills throughout Dublin and elsewhere.
We don't "do" bows but tonight, I would like to break precedent and mention our current crew by name; Ciara, Ciarán, Ciarán eile, Conor, David, Donal, Iarla, John, Keith, Lauren, Laurie, Michéal, Niall, Olivia, Orla, Paul, Peter, Richard, Sam and Simon. Individually good, collectively great.
We could bang on about the numbers, the firsts, the achievements, the accolades, the lives saved but not tonight. Tonight we pause, acknowledge the past, smile and look to the future.
We find ourselves stronger than ever; still reaching for the stars with impossible goals. On this, what should be a weekend of parties we have 9 people on a TA course, activities on the beach and classes running for 3 hours in the pool at every level. Pure class, everything an investment in the future.
And of the founders and the trainers along the way - cheers, we've had so many ups and downs together, we'll raise a glass perhaps a Ballygowan B'. And be straight back to the beach tomorrow at 9am.
still remembered Jane, Carol & Conor; friends taken before their time, still missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílse
go raibh mile maith agaibh.
Michael
3/11/2012
p.s. the name still sucks
