Operation Indonesia 2016 Recap
This January ISLA/ Lifeguards Without Borders completed its second three-day Basic Open Water Lifeguard course in Pangandaran Beach, Java, Indonesia. Volunteers flew into Jakarta from all over the United States and Australia, and were greeted by Asep Kusdinar and a team of Pangandaran Balawistas (lifeguards). The next morning we hopped on our red bus and headed to West Java.
After the seven-hour bus ride the volunteers already grew close and without a doubt became a family. We chatted the whole way, ate some of the best secret ingredient fried rice mid way, and took naps on each others shoulders. We all have so much in common so even after day 1 it feels like we’ve known each other for a lifetime. Which is one of my favorite things about these trips, you show up strangers, and you leave as a family. That being with not only the volunteers but the participants as well!
We arrived to Pangandaran beach around sunset time. Immediately set our stuff down, threw on our suits, and sprinted down to the beautiful black sand beach we will be teaching on to view one of the most colorful sunsets I’ve seen in my life. Afterwards we participated in a ceremony with the local government in attendance and watched some ceremonial Javanese dancing.
Day one of the trip may be over but now it’s time for the first day of the course! Banners we’re posted all over town with hopes to recruit as many people as possible. With the coordination and assistance of Asep Kusdinar and the Pangandaran lifeguard agency, over 80 local Pangandaran’s showed up for the course! It was great to see the amount of the people that drop everything to not only better themselves, but contribute to the safety of their home town. ISLA volunteers then led a 30-hour academy style lifesaving training course that included basic open water lifesaving techniques, as well as classroom lectures. The course also portrayed a strong emphasis on discipline and professionalism.
The surf throughout the course was a calm 1-2 feet in the mornings, then a roaring 4-6 feet chop once the wind picked up after lunchtime. Considering conditions are rough year round we had to train them in both circumstances. Luckily we had enough volunteers who are all skilled in the water to ensure the safety of the participants. We were hands on and had the water competitions staged with buoys and paddleboards throughout the entire course ensuring everything ran smoothly. Although around thirty participants were not able to reach the standards set to allow them to pass the course, we were happy to announce 39 passed and were presented with our course certification at graduation. As for the ones who didn’t they gladly continued to participate hoping to learn how to improve their lifeguarding skills and physical standards set by ISLA. Although it was sad to leave, there is no better feeling then leaving Pangandaran knowing the beaches and land will be safer because of the skills, knowledge, and equipment we brought to the island. The Pangandaran lifeguards were left with twelve buoys, twelve sets of fins, clothing, patches, and well deserved certificates.
We are very thankful for our fearless leaders, Tommy and Flavia that led this course to be so successful, as well as every volunteer who made it possible; from Andie and her deep knowledge of oceanography, to Lauren fueling us with Australian goodies including vegemite… Richard with his great stories, Noah for the laughs and surf craft skills, Abby and Kalie with their patience and kindness working with the participants, Jack and Maddi with their upbeat happiness, Michaels passion, Sam’s bright smile, and myself, Nicki, who is always just happy to be there! Also we could never forget Jacob and his amazing photography skills! Most importantly though, we are all lifeguards from different parts of the world, who bring so much to the table, and have the same passion to share our knowledge and skills to make parts of the world a safer and more educated place.
Once the course was over we ventured off and explored other parts of the island. We crossed bamboo bridges, went to point break beaches, went on beautiful boat rides to the green canyon, swam through rapids, canyon climbed, and maybe for those who couldn’t resist, a little jumping as well. After a long week of hard work, and adventures we hopped back on our bus and headed back to Jakarta. During the ride back, we recapped our experiences, had to say our goodbyes, and left with tears in our eyes, friends in our heart and memories for a lifetime.
–Flavia McBride