For those who know me, they know that I identify myself as a runner. Without a doubt, running is probably one of the worst sports of all time (the literal W.O.A.T for sports). A lot of people hate this form of cardio, and I certainly can understand their pain as I devote my time to running almost everyday. However, after devoting my time to two job positions as both a lifeguard and swim instructor, I have reconsidered my thoughts over which sport truly is the most difficult of them all.
Both jobs are relatively easy, but hold a huge responsibility. I am in charge of the lives that are under my supervision, as humans do not belong in the water, it is as simple as that. My jobs have opened my eyes as I see the dangers of this environment in a new light as opposed to my thoughts as a little kid, blowing bubbles underwater. Swimmers are fighting to SURVIVE in the water while any other sport does not have this weight on their shoulders (except maybe bodybuilders, no pun intended) as they go against the element that is unnatural to them.
Speaking of unnatural, it is quite a shock when you first enter a pool as they tend to be almost twenty degrees colder than our body temperature. For anyone, it is not ideal to jump into a freezing cold pool in the early hours of the morning. Swimmers choose to jump in only to shave off a second off of their time after hours, days, weeks, maybe months of practice. Although runners work hard to lower their times, swimmers work to do this mainly in the water, which is the worst environment for a human to be placed in.
I have a lot of respect for swimmers after experiencing the pool for myself. These athletes go unheard of for every four years until the Olympics come around, which gets people to go nuts as they realize how exciting the sport really is. After training for four years, swimmers are only allowed a few minutes to present their abilities to the majority of the world. They are unheard of, forgotten about, until their moment to race others like them, but it certainly is rewarding.
Even though I am nowhere near qualified to judge which sport really is the hardest, it truly is what the participant makes of it. Every sport is consuming when competitors pour their heart and soul into their performance. Blood, sweat, and tears are noticed from football players, soccer players, you name it. An athlete who exerts their effort will not go unnoticed as they make the sport a challenge. However, I give swimmers a lot of credit for their courage to enter the water that has the potential, when put into perspective, to determine life or death. Swimming is a silent sport as not much chatter is made over it, but the effects it has on those who are a part of it is the most fulfilling. Being underwater is such a strange feeling, as it is both petrifying and calming, but swimmers are apart of something extraordinary that no one else may fully grasp. Swimming sucks, but it definitely has so much to offer.
