From left: Margaret Lizzotti, Brock’s aquatics assistant program supervisor, LSS treasurer Patti McMullen, student supervisor/instructor/guard Amy Lowe, and instructor/guard Christine Midgely hold the Whipper Cup.
It may be the Lifesaving Society‘s motto, but it’s also one the team at Brock’s Eleanor Misener Aquatic Centre embodies:
“Whomsoever you see in distress, recognize in him a fellow man.”
It’s a big reason why the centre has once again been recognized for its efforts to improve water safety.
“We want to follow the mission of the Society and provide the education to prevent drowning in our waters,” said Margaret Lizzotti, Brock’s aquatics assistant program supervisor. “That’s the big thing. We want to have people help people and be compassionate in a time of distress.”
The centre recently captured three Lifesaving Society awards. It won the Kirk A. W. Wipper Cup, which goes to the university or college with the largest lifesaving program in the province, for the 19th consecutive year.
It also won the Arnold H. Morphy Cup, given to the single facility affiliate with the largest lifesaving program in Ontario, and the John E. McCutcheon Bowl for having the single facility affiliate with the largest first aid program.
Points are accumulated based on the level of training a person receives from those administering Lifesaving Society programs.
In 2013, despite the pool having no water for six months during renovations, 815 people took first aid-related certifications at Brock, and nearly 200 enrolled in national lifeguard, national lifeguard instructor and national lifeguard recertification courses.
“These awards certainly recognize the huge number of programs that were organized and hosted when the pool was open,” said Karen McAllister-Kenny, Brock’s director of Recreation Services. “First aid courses were the only ones that could continue during the pool renovations. Numerous aquatic professionals in the Niagara Region and beyond take their certification courses at Brock. The demand for courses is evident through large wait lists, which are accommodated where possible by offering double the number of courses as were originally planned. We are also fortunate to draw on a large number of instructors from the region and outside the region, who come here to teach.”
Brock staff teach many of the courses, but the University welcomes trainers from Niagara and outside of the region.
“You’re there to help people and to educate,” Lizzotti said. “Everybody is welcome. Anybody can help anybody. It’s incredible.
“It’s very humbling to receive these awards, and to do it year after year is amazing.”
From left: Instructor/guard Christine Midgley, student supervisor/instructor/guard Amy Lowe, LSS president-elect Brian Connors, and Margaret Lizzotti, Brock’s aquatics assistant program supervisor hold the Morphy Cup.
From left: Instructor/guard Christine Midgely, Margaret Lizzotti, Brock’s aquatics assistant program supervisor, LSS corporate secretary Roberto Aburto, and student supervisor/instructor/guard Amy Lowe hold the Lifesaving Society McCutcheon Bowl for first aid.
