By By Adrienne McKenzie
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians' pool, located in the Wellness &Activities Center, is open year-round and throughout the year, there are certain guardians that protect the visitors of the pool.
The lives of those swimming in PCI's pool are protected by the lifeguards, which include, 17-year-old April Garvin, 18-year-old Trevor Lambert, 21-year-old Heath Wiggins and 19-year-old Ryan Gorum.
Not only do the lifeguards watch over those swimming in the pool, they also provide swimming lessons.
According to Garvin, a swimming lesson instructor at the PCI pool, the lifeguards will also begin teaching the proper methods of diving this week.
"We will start diving lessons this week," Garvin said. "I already know how to teach diving and I'm going to teach the other lifeguards and we'll begin the lessons this week."
Right now taking up the time of the lifeguards is the summer youth program. The lifeguards provide swim lessons for the children in the Poarch summer youth program from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. From 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. is free swim, according to Garvin.
"Right now we are just doing the swimming lessons for the summer youth for three weeks," Garvin said. "We may start doing it all year depending on how these three weeks go."
The pool is also open Saturday's from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Anyone who wants to swim during free swim can, Garvin said. She also said that there is no fee for swimming at PCI.
Garvin said the lifeguards at the PCI pool are well-trained. Each lifeguard received lifeguard training through the American Red Cross either in Atmore or out of town.
Being an expert swimmer is not required at the Poarch Band of Creek Indians pool. There is an area for laying out in the sun, as well as a baby pool and a hot tub, Garvin said.