At the Qingdao Olympic sailing venue, a 37-member rescue team is known for its competency.
With experience from the National Sailing event in 2006 and the Qingdao International Regattas in 2006 and 2007, the team pioneered on-sea rescue services in China, the Qingdao Daily reported.
Since 2006, the team has offered more than 500 service hours, received 160 hours of training, and spent over 300 hours in sea operations and rescue tasks.
Team leader Jiang Ming was the first to join the team in 2006, one of more than 20 volunteers who stood out among 400 applicants. The selection process was tough and rigid, he said. Each applicant had to undergo tests of physical agility, different styles of swimming, swimming speed, diving and rescue as well as first aid, in addition to interviews with the Olympic sailing Committee and Red Cross and completing on-sea exercises. “We need to be equipped with not only a strong body but also first aid and rescue skills,” Jiang said.
Jiang, a participant in the Asian Triathlon event, is also a sports fan who is interested in swimming, biking, mountaineering, and expedition.
“Only after tasting the wind and the waves can you understand the hardship at sea,” he said. “We sailed out everyday to be on duty at different competition water areas. The boat is our home and battle camp, and we go through wind, rain, sun, heat and cold. When the sailing event is over, we find ourselves completely tan.”
Swimming coach, Li Yong, is also a team member. August is his busier month, but he chose to join the volunteer team without hesitation. He recalled how he happened to save a foreign sailor in 2006. When two-thirds of the sailor’s board was drawn under a starting boat, Li and his colleagues rushed to the scene and drew the sailor to a safe boat. “Our work doesn’t allow any errors,” he said.
Wu Ziyi, 58, is the eldest team member and a seasoned swimmer. To maintain sufficient agility, he has made winter swimming a routine since 2006.
Asked if they will deliver better services at the Olympic sailing events this year, Wu Ziyi said, “Yes.” “In 2006 we were not familiar with the terrain and competition rules; in 2007 we did better, as we mastered more sailing skills; now we are more confident in our capability to offer voluntary services.”
(Source: en.beijing2008.cn)