Hey! I’m Dana, owner of Bella Blue Photography! I’m also a wife to Chris and mom to one little girl who is our everyday sunshine! I love spending time with my little family, going anywhere with sunshine, and have a huge addiction to Dr. Pepper, sour candy, and beautiful lenses.
Life is precious and pictures are our connection to the past. Freeze time, take a picture. My goal as your photographer is to capture your family, your children, your “treasures” as they are, where they are comfortable, in their own beauty. I want to give you photographs with unforgettable moments and memories you’ll cherish forever.
I plan on blogging every week, and while it’s pretty much impossible to go back through ALL my session and share everyone of them, I can show a few of my favorites!
It’s that time again! I’m doing my 2010 photo of the year contest a little different this year. There will be 2 rounds of voting (I just can’t choose!) and the first round will be for all facebook fans! Go to my facebook fan page to vote on your favorite to advance to the final […]
I choose couple #1 to win the Free Wedding Portraits. They are well deserving!!! Thanks in advance for choosing them.
Miss Guilana’s very first photo session was this week. I always consider it a honor when people choose me for newborn shoots. It’s a “big deal” in my book. You want their first photos to be perfect, special and beautiful….just like your baby is! Here’s a preview of what I captured that day…she was still […]
This cutie was such a ham for the camera. He loved the beach and it made my job so easy! His birthday is today…happy 1st birthday little man!
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Julie Zuckerberg dutifully executes the responsibilities of the Talent Attainment Administrator, while retained by Deutsche Bank. Julie has created a great deal of attention for herself, from her extensive history of know-how and her vast qualifications. She is celebrated for her gift of working hand in hand with commerce leaders in the secured asset area of trade including the retail side of management. Julie is amazingly the industry by establishing dialogue, in addition to managing high level administrative exchanges that routinely pertain to business stockholders. Her highly experienced guidance is often regarded as being central to recruiting competent people and her staffing policy is accepted for generating an unyielding and long-lasting effect on the penchant of an institution’s output stance and often delivers a medley of exceptionally talented and versatile laborers.
Julie Zuckerberg moreover, has expertise working with the task of being the Senior Manager Recruiter before changing her status to that of Faculty Acquisition Leader. She has also, peaked in her skills by being promoted to Deutsche Bank’s V.P. During this stretch, her talents were perfected by managing vital associations with top-notch business enterprises, to establish a massively invaluable assortment of capable laborers. Julie Zuckerberg has furthermore fashioned associations with a plentiful extent of industry affairs to more concisely control the recruiting practices for achieving adept employees. This is fundamental for filling major roles, for instance, US Compliance and Central Administrator, not counting Investor Connections, among other fundamental roles.
She is accredited as having a group of adept industry savoir faire and perception. She has also excelled prominently in the responsibility of Primary Laborer Taskmaster, while laboring with pride at the enterprise, the Hudson Global. This, being her first dedicated business engagement in 2002. During her servitude at the Hudson, for about the span of 5 years, she recruited into the company a flood of legal personnel and exceptionally qualified senior management teams, for an assorted quantity of firms. This stable influx of laborers helped satisfying an array of open roles. After she vacated her position at the Hudson, she loyally committed her talents to Citi Global. While at this renowned consumer bank, she developed her gifts as the Leading Labor Recruiter. This status permitted her the autonomy to generate advanced approaches for brining in experienced recruits by using the internet, social media promotional tools and via express sourcing of labor. These are some of the countless and truly inspiring avenues made use of by Julie, to get hold of the most eligible recruits. She displays a keen competence to juggle a number of tasks and when employed at Citi Global, Julie excelled as Vice President of the corporation. Some of her more exciting accomplishments involved the moving of new laborers through the difficulties of immigration, through to repatriation.
Her vast perceptive skills, attained from working as the company V.P., while laboring at the New York Life Insurance Establishment, provided Julie with the talent to engage in laborer events fill vacated positions with expert recruits.
One might think Tidal was going down, but you are very mistaken. With Jay-Z as the president and Desiree Perez on board, Tidal remains solid and going strong more than ever.
Desiree is one of the executives in the ROC Nation. She works under the leadership of Juan Perez, her husband. She has also worked with Jay-Z for over twenty years. It is laughable to work with someone closely and fail to have a close relationship. This is not the case with Desiree as she has formed a strong bond with Jay-Z as well as other prominent artists in Tidal.
Perez has strong negotiating skills and her close business associate believe she is a deal maker. The Tidal artists have received a lot of help from Desiree. She acts as the bridge between them and clients. Notably, she was at the forefront in big deals negotiations for Rihanna, TI, Beyoncé, and Kanye West among others. For instance, she was responsible for negotiating and closing Rihanna’s deal with Samsung as well as Beyoncé’s formation tour.
Des has vast experience in the entertainment industry and plays a fundamental role in helping the artist with the business side of the music. She is the one responsible for bringing and maintains customers in the Tidal. Besides, Desiree helps Jay Z in the signing of lucrative multi-million-dollar deals. Des helped Jay to transition from rapping to music streaming.
Tidal company was founded in the late nineties before Jay buying it in 2015. It specialized in selling ringtones, interactive games, and horoscopes among other systems. Aspire owned the company by then. He later sold some of these services to mobile networks. The organization partnered with some of the European mobile phone giants as a way of distributing the Tidal services across the world via cell phones.
Seven years ago, Tidal created a music streaming service. The aim was to enhance the quality of the videos and audios consumed by the customers. Tidal video and audio streaming became the talk of the state as many people became passionate about it.
Tidal has experienced financial and management challenges in the past. However, that changed when Rapper Jay-Z decided to buy the company. Jay acquired the company as it matched with one of his companies and it had a bright future.
Jay-Z ensured that firm succeeded by employing qualified managers, working with Desiree as well as other top artists. Currently, the company has developed an app for customers to stream their favorite music.
Author BellaChampionPosted on January 12, 2017 January 25, 2017 Categories Business News, Entrepreneur	
Magnises is a black card that comes with lots of offers. Members enjoy cool technology, a thriving community, and special events. Members can link the Magnises card to their debit and credit cards. The card allows one to participate in special concerts and events. The company has in the past opened up concerts for social events and gathers. To ensure that members are always updated with the company’s information, the Magnises team has created a convenient application for members. The program comes in the form a mobile app. Billy McFarland and his team keep members updated on daily deals and upcoming activities. It also gives daily tips and advice according to one’s professional and personal life.
The Magnises card is full of magic and opportunities for members. The card has been growing to other locations in the world. It has already established itself in several cities within the United States. It has plans to expand to London. The company targets popular places and cities. It wants to build a huge customer base of people that want to use the card. The target market of the card is an age group of people that range from age 20 to age 35.
The Black Card by Billy McFarland comes with several offers and benefits in several categories. Members from different cities get to access different facilities at different places. Magnises members based in New York get access to the company’s clubhouse and working facilities. These working offices are usually accessible at extremely discounted prices. Members get to enjoy a work pass offered by the black card.
People that have the Magnises card can also get access to a monthly membership to exclusive nightclubs within New York. Members get to experience time at nightclubs at only sixty-five dollars. The price is usually higher for regular people. Magnises card members get to have fun and enjoy at extremely discounted prices.
Many people that have used the mobile application have been delighted by its functionality. Through the application, one can get the latest information on what is happening in their city. One gets updates on social events and entertainment ventures.
Author BellaChampionPosted on January 12, 2017 January 25, 2017 Categories Business News, Lifestyle	
Swiss Startup Factory was launched in 2014. It is based in Zurich, and it focuses on thriving digital entrepreneurs. Swiss Startup Factory provides exciting opportunities from the first day through their strong network in Switzerland and all over the world. Swiss Startup Factory (SSUF) is a platform where innovation meets execution. SSUF runs a three-month start-up accelerator program that provides an exceptional platform for mentoring, coaching, services, and office spaces strategically located in Zurich. Furthermore, SSUF has a solidly established entrepreneurial network that helps them to achieve their ambitious goals. SSUF has a mission of providing young and talented entrepreneurs in Switzerland a platform that guides them through the business-driven process to achieve their ambitions.
Mike Baur is the founder of Swiss Startup Factory. SSUF supports young accelerator companies that specialize in digital technologies. The accelerator program selects and evaluates the investment enabled startups. SSUF then helps the startups by mentoring them. The next batch will begin in September 2016; therefore, interested parties can apply to become part of the portfolio of Swiss Startup Factory. The accelerator program is a source of likeminded people who can come up with connections and share them.
The three-month program offers affordable prices for desks, conference rooms, and office spaces. The office space features a welcome area, conference room lunch room, fitness room, free wifi, storage space, in-house film studio, and Nespresso bar. SSUF is now aiming at Fintech startups so that it will launch the accelerator program this summer. SSUF has partnered with the Geneva-Fintech Accelerator Fusion in a bid to make the accelerator program a success.
Mike Baur announced that SSUF had hired a former entrepreneur on board. The new member is an investor and a mentor. Mike Baur has hired Michael Hartweg to join SSUF team. Michael is Fintech investor and mentor for young entrepreneurs and Fintech founders. Michael has not been operational in derivatives specialists Leonteq and its shares for close to two years now.
Mike is the founding partner of Swiss Startup Factory. Baur has been working in the Swiss banking industry for 20 years, and he is the man behind the fundraising and financing rounds at the Swiss Startup Factory. Mike started his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 39 in 2014 when he founded SSUF together with two partners. Baur has an MBA from University of Rochester New York and an executive MBA from the University of Bern.
After the announcement of the exit of the UK EU (European Union), elected by a referendum at the end of June, the immediate effect was a large drop in stock markets across Europe, experts point out that this output can generate lasting impacts on the global economy, says the executive Flavio Maluf.
According to numbers released by the European Union for the year 2014, the UK has contributed substantially to the organization.
However, Flavio Maluf notes that, according to the director of FN Capital operations, Paulo Figueiredo, the UK’s isolation block will result in a considerable drop in investment received by the country.
Among the EU member countries, there is a union that allows free trade without tax application and extra quotas on products from other countries. With the block output, the UK will have new rates in relation to what was practiced before, which is likely to harm the country’s foreign trade with the EU. On the other hand, says Flavio Maluf, according to the expert Otto Nogami, this output can also bring further benefits to the UK, as from now, the country may enter into bilateral agreements that were not previously reachable.
With the exit of the United Kingdom of the European Union, Brazil can benefit because it will have the chance to enter into bilateral agreements with the country.
The departure of the British EU is a great loss to the block, because it had as core countries Germany, France and the UK itself, and much of its structure is established in these three countries. Currently, France show signs of weakness and fatigue in its economy, thus it is up to Germany to sustain, in economic terms, the block. According to the president of Eucatex, Flavio Maluf, it is a great uncertainty due to the impact that this output can generate positioning of other countries that are part of the block.
Flávio Maluf is a Brazilian Businessman, mechanical engineer, graduated from the Armando Alvares Penteado Foundation (FAAP). Check him out on Twitter here.
He is president of the company Eucatex and group GrandFood and eldest son of politician Paulo Maluf.
Throughout its existence, White Shark Media has had to equally deal with compliments and complaints from its customers. The firm generally recognizes the fact that it takes dedication and time to achieve near-perfection. Learn more about White Shark Media Complaints: https://twitter.com/whitesharkmedia
Therefore, it has been using customer reviews to gauge the level of customer satisfaction in its services. In line with this, it ensures that all compliments and complaints are addressed accordingly. This explains why the firm is highly rated by its clients.
To guarantee customer satisfaction, White Shark Media has put in place structures to ensure that any complaints about its products and services are addressed as soon as possible. Addressing these concerns helps the firm to streamline its services. The following are some complaints that White Shark Media has handled in the past.
After close scrutiny, the firm noticed that the reporting structures that it had put in place could not allow clients who own small businesses to review their reports. Consequently, most of them had lost touch with their AdWords Campaigns.
When this complaint reached White Shark Media, the firm started educating its clients about the workings of their new campaigns. Once a client is armed with this knowledge, he or she can easily locate the performance of each individual keyword or ad.
This problem bedeviled White Shark Media Complaints team for a very long time. It was a matter of great concern because communication is pertinent to the success of any consultancy agency.
During the firm’s early days, most clients felt that communication was poor because of difficulties in getting hold of a contact person within the firm. To stem this, White Shark Media implemented a number of strategies.
Scheduling monthly status calls through the Go Meeting platform was done to enhance the flow of communication. This has given the firm’s clients and strategists an opportunity to review monthly reports. This way, they can pinpoint weaknesses, which need to be addressed. Being an online conferencing platform, Go Meeting saves time and money.
Clients who complain that their old campaigns perform better than White Shark Media’s optimized campaigns are often linked with experienced supervisors. The work of these specialists is to provide regular feedback to SEM strategists, and to oversee the rollout of new campaigns.
Under the new system, the strategists work on the feedback to enhance the performance of these new campaigns. This has enabled White Shark Media to offer impressive services.
Highland Capital Management is a portfolio manager overseeing over $21 billion in asset under management. The company was founded in 1993 and is based in Dallas, Texas. It is specialized in managing equity, fixed income portfolios, and recently it ventured in managing ETFs for private, corporate and public sectors. The company values are based on consistency, discipline and patience as the cornerstone of a successful portfolio management. The investment management team of the HCM average about 25 years of industry experience.
The executive team members of the organizations include the HCM’s co-founder as the two primary managers. Mark Okada is the co-founder and CFA of HCM and currently acts as he firm’s CIO and the portfolio manager of the Highland Floating Rate Opportunities Fund. He is responsible for overseeing the company’s investment plans throughout the implementation of the strategy. He has more than three decades of experience with credit and alternative investments and is one of the most valued members, mentor, and leader in the organization. He is currently involved in some other companies in executive capacities include the board member of Education is Freedom and the Director of NexBank.
James Dondero sometimes referred as Jim is also one of the executives and co-founder of Highland Capital Management. Jim is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and the current firm’s president. Having worked for various companies before founding HCM, he has over 30 years of experience working in equity and credit markets specializing specifically in high yield and distressed investments. He is a graduate of University of Virginia‘s McIntyre School of Commerce, (Accounting and Finance Option).
Dondero started his career in 1984 as a financial analyst in the Morgan Guaranty Training Program. Later he served as a corporate bond analyst and climbed the ladder with time to a position of the portfolio manager at American Express Company (NYSE: AXP). Before founding HCM, he was the chief investment officer of protective life where he led to the growth of its subsidiary GIC to a value of $2 billion. Jim is a donor and supports various public policy issues such as veterans’ organizations and education initiatives.
The investment team of HCM includes 200 portfolio managers, researchers, analysts and associates. These team members along with their support employees are dedicated associates with years of training, education and marketing experience. An average portfolio manager in HCM has an average experience of 11 years both in financial and investment fields.
Author BellaChampionPosted on May 11, 2016 Categories Business News2 Comments on James Dondero and the Investment Team that has Changed Highland Capital Management	
Alexei Beltyukov has not only started a scholarship for Russian students who want to attend INSEAD University, but he is also pursuing education for profitable purposes. The newest endeavor is called SOLVY. The project debuted in 2015 at the Los Angeles tech conference from EdSurge, called Educator Day. Beltyukov’s main goal is to communicate with with professionals from the educational field, including teachers. Prior to its launch, launchingnext.com named SOLVY as one of the world’s most promising start ups and it was also listed as a 100 New Startups, Today startup by BetaList.
The main purpose of the online software is to create a homework space for high school students. The software is meant to assist teachers in doing what matters. Instead of spending time creating homework, the software creates it for the teacher. It does this by following certain parameters. SOLVY also follows some of the most recent research out about testing, rather than having multiple choice questions, the software creates tests that make students show how they got to their answer. It also helps students understand the value of mistakes and learning from them.
One of the major areas that the company is growing is in the mathematics areas. It is especially helpful for teachers in creating individualized help for each student. In math class rooms especially, it can be very difficult for teachers to gauge how each student is progressing. Now a teacher can have access to each student’s work and see how they are arriving at their answers. And, rather than spending time grading each question and creating more homework, the teacher can send each student an individualized plan to help them.
LinkedIn shows that Alexei Beltyukov was born and raised in Russia and has been steadfast in his efforts to help the nation. He has been a major donor to different organizations that donate their time to helping st art up businesses in Russia. He has also given significant sums to different scholarship funds that help Russian students to pursue degrees in business. One of his most prized roles is serving as the Vice President for the Skolkovo Foundation in Russia. This organizations provides guidance to the Russian government on matters involving the economy. This guidance, and opportunities and grants, are also extended to individuals. Follow Alexei Beltyukov on Twitter for updates, or you can visit his official site.
Author BellaChampionPosted on April 4, 2016 Categories Business News1 Comment on Alexei Beltyukov: Involved In Education For Profit And For Charity	
Argentina is one of the most promising Latin American countries when it comes to sovereign debt. This is in spite of decades-long status as a distressed credit country. Simply put, distressed credit is when a loan becomes irregular in payments or when the debtor defaults completely. Argentina entered distressed credit status in 2001 when it defaulted on an impressive $95 billion in issued bonds. Even after defaulting the country continued to service its debt in a myriad of ways until 2014 when former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner ignored U.S. court orders on the matter and halted all payments to holdout creditors.
The reason Argentina is still promising even with this complicated history is that it is a resource-rich country. It has a lot of growth potential because of this and if it can restructure its existing debt there is a high likelihood of credit upgrades. President Macri was elected on a campaign of economic reversal and a goal to return Argentina to the sovereign debt markets. He undid much of his predecessors work and now an upcoming U.S. court ruling looks promising to re-admit Argentina to the sovereign debt market and allow it to restructure its debt to begin payments once more.
This soon to be realized potential is great news for many holdout creditors like Highland Capital Management. The management fund is a large holder of 2033 bonds from Argentina and its president and co-founder James Dondero has made many observations about the possible profitability and return of Argentina in recent years. One of his key observations was that Argentina would eventually experience a defining moment where something would have to give. Either the government would run out of capital completely due to being restricted from the bond markets or they would change their position on restructuring their debt.
James also considers Argentina to be worthy of re-investment since it has the greatest promise of being upgraded in creditworthiness in the near future against other Latin American countries. Dondero plans on taking advantage of Argentina’s appeal not just for sovereign debt but capital investment by creating an Argentina Fund through Highland Capital Management.
Author BellaChampionPosted on March 29, 2016 July 22, 2017 Categories Business News, Corporate Leadership1 Comment on James Dondero Calls Argentina’s Return	
Brian Tochin is a reputable member of the healthcare industry and has been working in the field for many years. After opening a number of medical offices throughout the East Coast area, Torchin has become one of the most popular and well known medical recruiters in the world. His current position as the President of the Health Care Recruitment Counselors, LLC has taken his business from Europe all the way to Asia.
Beginning as a chiropractor, Brian Tochin learned quickly what goes into a successful business practice and what helps an office run smoothly. Proper management techniques and a qualified staff has helped Tochin not only run his businesses successfully but also help other companies increase their customer service potential. Torchin now runs his recruitment company to provide a high level of accessibility to clients both in the evening hours and on the weekends. Torchin understands the need for constant communication between staff and management no matter what the roles are.
Chiropractor needs are present in private practices all over the country but there are also needs within other areas and facilities like hospitals, therapy offices, in home care and more. Full service staffing includes background checks, training employees and more. Torchin assesses the current economy when running his business and based on the current state of our economy, Torchin understands it can be difficult to determine whether a client is qualified or right for a job. Going through potential prospects is very important in order to be left with only the cream of the crop. Not all chiropractors are experienced or right for the job. Its highly important to have the right people in the right position and this depends on location as well as client base.
Torchin has dedicated his business but also his professional life to ensure clients all over the world are receiving proper chiropractic care. The right business plan is imperative as well as the right staff, facility, business practice, etc.
Author BellaChampionPosted on March 24, 2016 May 22, 2017 Categories Business News1 Comment on Brian Torchin and Perfect Chiropractic Care	
Malcolm CasSelle is the President of the Worldwide Asset exchange (WAX). He is also the CIO of OPSkins that is a company dealing with the selling and buying of video games. Previously, he worked as the CTO and president of Tronc. He oversaw the growth in property and leveraging of digital assets of the firm. He also served as the general manager and SVP of Digital Media at SeaChange. SeaChange acquired Timeline solutions that offer solutions to companies for display, measure and discover social content.
Malcolm has led many start-ups in the digital industry that include, Xfire and Mediapass. He has also actively invested in companies like Zynga, Facebook, blockchain verticals and in big data. Early in his career life, he co-founded the PCCW that is a telecom company based in Hong Kong. The company is valued at over $35 billion. While still part of the company he helped raise a lot of money for the company’s private transactions. Malcolm has a Computer Science degree from Stanford University and MIT. He has excellent knowledge of Mandarin and Japanese language.
He has actively developed WAX to what it is today. WAX is a platform decentralized to allow everyone to efficiently operate a functioning market without any investments in security, payment processing or infrastructure. The platform is well designed to support over 400 million online users who buy, collect and sell game items. It utilizes the power of the Blockchain Technology to allow virtual goods to be tokenized easily and further be exchanged for the cryptocurrency.
The trading between sellers and buyers is made possible by the use of the smart contract. This mechanism underlies every transaction that takes place on the platform. Millions of users are allowed to create virtual stores on a decentralized platform. This provides instant security, payments, and trust among users. This has served to bring more participants into the platform every year. WAX is on the way to enabling a mass cryptocurrency adoption. It provides everyone with free access to all items available for sale. WAX, therefore, provides users with all the advantages found in The Blockchain.
Nexbank is a highly reputable and reliable financial institution that renders a vast range of services to businesses and individuals. This well established bank is located in Dallas, Texas, and comes highly recommended.
Nexbank has been catering to the needs of companies, organizations and individual customers and has a proven track record. Their full range of top notch financial solutions and features are designed to help clients and customers handle their finances properly and enhance their lives.
Nowadays, there are numerous banks and other financial institutions providing various services and financial products to their customers. It is crucial to do your research before choosing a bank or financial services provider. You’ll want to look for a financial institution that offers high quality features and services you need to accomplish your objective.
Nexbank offers a wide array of desirable financial products and services and can help you reach your goals. Their professionals are well trained and they can provide everything you need to meet your banking needs. From regular bank accounts services to commercial and business loans to financial planning and investment advisory, Nexbank has the resources to ensure your complete satisfaction. They also provide convenient online banking, vast networks of ATMs, and accessibility to physical locations.
Nexbank is highly committed to serving the residents of Dallas, Texas. With three bank branches, investment, mortgage, and commercial, Nexbank meets the diverse investment and financial needs of the residents of Dallas.
Once you contact them and open a bank account you will be instructed on how to have a pleasant banking experience. Their financial advisors and money management professionals are available and ready to advise and guide you. You will have access to highly knowledgeable and experienced professionals who are happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact Nexbank for more information about financial services.
It is worthy of note the same value that is needed for all pets can serve for the same dog and it is really about the quality that matters. Also with the RushEssay.com there is no doubt as to why this is really what to consider in having the best food for pets. In the brand of Beneful it is impressive to see that this has been put into serious considerations when selling to customers.
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If like me your old enough to remember this IRISH WATER SAFETY Television campaign from my early boyhood, then you’ll no doubt be aware that the message that our parents thought us then is the same one that parents and teachers,with the help of Irish Water Safety are still teaching children and youth today.
Children and Adults can drown in as little as a foot of water, Thats 30cm or 1/3rd of a metre in todays measurement system.Always stay vigilant around water,especially when children are involved. Whether swimming, boating, or going to rivers, lakes or coastline,everyone should know the basics of water safety.\
As the New Year approaches may we here at BellTime Magazine suggest, as a priority if you haven’t done so already, “LEARN TO SWIM” as soon as you can in2017, its not only great fun,but swimming is a brilliant way to stay fit and healthy. It may also SAVE A LIFE SOME DAY. Colm@BellTime Magazine.
Irish Water Safety offers courses for personal safety and swimming including courses leading to lifeguard certification.The Lifeguard certification you get is internationally recognised,enabling you to work at pools and beaches around the world.
When you take our classes, you learn to help yourself and others if a difficult situation unfolds in water. If you already know how to swim, build on these skills and learn how to save lives, including your own, by taking Irish Water Safety’s Lifesaving courses – you may need these skills to save yourself or a loved one someday
I had always been a strong swimmer, but had been reluctant to try my hand at lifesaving. My parents had attempted to persuade me to join rookie lifesaving on numerous occasions, but I never felt particularly compelled to go. It took three of my friends to eventually encourage me to go to IWS (Irish Water Safety). The programme is very youth orientated, the majority of instructors are still attending secondary school, however they are under supervision by more experienced instructors.
The first night I underwent a trial of sorts, a small group of hopefuls and I swam lengths the whole night and at the end I learned I had successfully passed into the ‘Rescue 1’ group, where we learned the basics of water safety and how to approach a drowning subject.
I returned enthusiastic the next week, hungry to start learning a valuable new life skill. It was that week that I found out that not only were the lessons a good time to hone my swimming skills and also learn new ones, it was also a good place to socialise with people my own age.
Fortunately my group was mostly TY or fifth year students so I wasn’t out of place. I had always thought that it would be pointless starting at my age, but it wasn’t much of a disadvantage.
There are four rescue stages, only two are necessary to become a pool lifeguard and all four are recommended to become a beach lifeguard. It takes roughly one year to complete each stage, so you have to be quite dedicated to go each week for the entire year.
About halfway through the year, one hour theory classes follow the swimming which train you in CPR and what to do once you have successfully saved someone from the water.
It is a very worthwhile skill to possess, many students in college turn to lifeguarding in pools or beaches as their primary source of income, and so do many students abroad. It opens up a whole new path in life, if you studied French for example in school, you could move to France and be almost guaranteed a job. 91 people drowned in Ireland in 2013 and in the USA around 3500 people drowned unintentionally.
It is an extremely valuable skill to have in life, and an enjoyable and friendly atmosphere to be learning in so I highly recommend it to anyone interested. John LEE 17 Cork
Whether swimming, boating, or going to rivers, lakes or coastline, everyone should know the basics of water safety.
Irish Water Safety offers courses for personal safety and swimming including courses leading to lifeguard certification. The Lifeguard certification you get is internationally recognised, If you already know how to swim, build on these skills and learn how to save lives, including your own, by taking Irish Water Safety’s Lifesaving courses – you may need these skills to save yourself or a loved one someday.
Taking classes with qualified, registered training providers is the best way to safely enjoy our waters.