Safety Marshals Enjoying the Experience At CeraVe Invite

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By Swimming World intern Natasha Mascarenhas

PISCATAWAY – Swimmers and coaches are not the only ones feeling the stress during meets. The behind-the-scenes volunteers similarly deal with minute-by-minute demands, especially when it comes to the safety marshals.

Wet surfaces, excited swimmers and crowded spectator areas are three constants in every swim meet. Marshals have to deal with the safety risks and inherent dangers that come with each meet, staying on top of their game throughout the long hours. Besides requiring all swimmers to follow safety regulations set in every swimming rule book, marshals also are in charge of making sure the pool deck is a secure place for the hundreds of athletes around them. One may see these individuals working closely with meet referees and lifeguards to ensure everyone is following warm-up procedures.

Anitha Kamath has been volunteering at the CeraVe Invite for five years with host team Berkeley Aquatics. This year, she is the safety marshal team leader, overseeing nearly a dozen adults who are hiding in plain sight on the deck. Whether it be helping the younger swimmers stay focused and on task, or cheering for her son Anshul when he’s in the pool, Kamath makes it a point to “be a part of this amazing community.”

“I volunteer to essentially walk the talk, and especially be a role model to my children,” Kamath said. By volunteering regularly, she said it teaches good positive values to her family.

“I’ve been volunteering here for a long time,” Kamath explained. “It helps to be a part of and belong to something my child is committed to.”

Besides keeping her trained eye on the athletes in the pool, Kamath is reaping more benefits as one of the meet’s safety marshals.

“Today I had the chance to get to connect with the parents and swimmers on a one-to-one basis, which was really enlightening,” Kamath said. “In this sport it is important to build relationships as a whole, and after today I really got to experience the community feeling.”

Kate Heffernan is in her third year as CeraVe Invitational volunteer, alternating between safety marshal and timer.

“I enjoy it more and more every year,” Heffernan explained. “It is always great to see the same seasoned swimmers coming back each year to break records and get new times.”

Between handling swimmers and maintaining safety standards, Heffernan finds some time to admire what goes on at this meet. Heffernan enjoys her job, regardless of how hectic it may be, because it allows her to be a part of these huge meets.

“This year I got to time (during) the 200 IM, and I was blown away by (Paralympic gold medalist) Jessica Long,” Heffernan said. “It’s times like that which really inspire me and make this job truly rewarding.”

While it might primarily be a volunteering job for these two outstanding women, it also has become a hobby. They enjoy their job because they get to take care of the meet, and see some amazingly raw talent while they are at it.

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