Vanessa's Journey with Freie Schwimmer Rheinkamp
Fresh recruits undergo training at Freeswimmers Rheinkamp for their swimming instruction roles.
Niko, Gio, Martin, Katja, Anis, Kerfala, and Vanessa have all earned their group leader certificates after a grueling phase of practice, study, training, teamwork, and fun. Let's hear Vanessa's account Below.
My Tale
Hey, I'm Vanessa, 40, mom to four superkids. Initially, I was scouring for a swim class for my gifted offspring. One of my pals steered me towards Freie Schwimmer Rheinkamp. I thought, "Why the hell not?" I never believed I'd be spearheading a group a short while later, standing by the pool.
I'd harbored thoughts of chasing the group leader certificate for a while, but the training locations often proved to be a stretch away. Then Werner tossed out a dry comment, "If we bring the training to Moers, you're in." Bam! I was enlisted pronto.
A Mind-Blowing Moment That Drew Everything Together?
Nope, it wasn't a single epiphany. More like a steady growth. The trainers with decades of experience held our hands tenderly, and before we knew what was happening, we had our own group and the trust bestowed upon us carried us through.
The training was intense, educational, and above all, warm-hearted. Two weekends of the basic module, followed by five weekends of advanced training with a group that barely knew each other initially, but ended up needing tissues at the goodbye hardly seemed possible. Klaus and Gabi from the Kreissportbund Wesel did a stellar job. Can you imagine that theory could be enjoyable?
What fascinated me the most was how much of what we learned was already being practiced in our club. Especially the connection between sports and the cardiovascular system caught my eye. And nope, not a single minute was dull, contrary to what I'd assumed.
What I'm Most Proud Of?
That I managed to put all my energy and passion into it-and it was acknowledged and appreciated.
What does club life mean to me?
Give and take. As a group leader, I'm naturally more involved, but that's exactly what I love about it. We're a mighty team, and Jasmin and Gaby keep an eagle eye on everything when it comes to events and festivities. But without every helping hand, much wouldn't be possible. And quite honestly, it's more fun together.
Has my perspective changed through the training?
Not really-and that's a positive sign. Because at Freie Schwimmer Rheinkamp, many of the things we have learned are already being implemented the same way. It just confirms that we're on the right track.
Who would I recommend the training to?
Someone eager to guide a group, take on responsibility, and grow alongside children or adults. It offers so much-sometimes even more than you put in.
And what do I wish for the future?
In a nutshell: Keep swimming. Empower kids. Support folks. Have fun. Because if we all contribute a little, the club will remain for many what it already is: a piece of home.
- Vanessa discovered a new interest in science, specifically the connection between sports and the cardiovascular system, during her fitness-and-exercise training with Freie Schwimmer Rheinkamp.
- Despite initial reservations, Vanessa found personal-growth opportunities in education-and-self-development, especially in her role as a group leader in health-and-wellness, where she also learned about teamwork and leadership skills.
- Tracing her journey with Freie Schwimmer Rheinkamp, Vanessa found a sense of learning and fulfillment that extended beyond the pool, encompassing various aspects of her life, such as parenting, friendship, and community service.
