“I’d love to join the trip but I am not a blogger and I’ve zero influence on the Internet” was my response when I was so wonderfully invited to accompany a bunch of accomplished bloggers and influencers for a day out on the sea.
An Invitation
It so happens that the sweet, sweet hostess, Hiba Moeen was actually interested in hearing honest feedback which warms my heart because If I didn’t experience it, I cannot write about it. Nonetheless despite my best intentions, I dreaded the idea of getting up at 07:00 AM on a Sunday morning because doing absolutely ‘nothing’ on the weekend is my jam. And if it wasn’t for my Mom, I would have never had experienced what can easily be described as one of my best days under the sun!
And Away We Go
As the sun rose on Sunday, December 02, 2018, I was actually feeling excited after successfully fitting all my #BeachDay essentials into my little backpack. I chose a pair of old jeans, a new jersey top and a pair of barbie pink flips flops that were definitely not suitable for someone my age. As I put on my sunblock, my backpack and the large brim sun hat, a question surfaced my mind, “what the hell am I supposed to answer when someone from the party will ask me about the number of followers on my Twitter or my blog subscribers?”, turns out bloggers are much more accommodating than I originally thought, in fact, I ended up making a bunch of new friends, more on that but later.
So here I was, all dolled up, on my way to the pick-up point, upon reaching the venue, I found the hostess and her partner to be extra genial and even offered up their facilities before we hit the road and for me personally that is consideration that I value. So away we go, we started our journey precisely at 10:35 AM, and true to my nature, I grabbed the closest seat available at the front, hoping to catch the ideal, road-ahead vantage point.
Hola!
At 11:18 AM, we arrived at our first stop, the HQ for Pakistan Live Saving Foundation (PALS) at Sandspit near Kakapir Village and awaiting for our welcome was the dedicated PALS team and a line of refreshing snacks that around noon were nothing short of a blessing.
And there is was – it was bright, sparkly and the exact shade of Alexis Bledel‘s eyes! It had been 6 years since I lasted visit the beach and no – working near Sea View does not count! The fresh, salty and slightly cool breeze reminded me of my childhood days on Jumeirah Beach and for a minute, I felt a lump in my throat, I missed you Pa.
I was brought out of my reverie with the a voice that I now resonate with commitment, Syed Muhammad Ahsan who is Chief Administrator at Pakistan Live Saving Foundation (PALS) and of course his brilliant team including the experienced GM, a nickname he wears like a royal title.
Let’s Turn Back the Clock
In the year 2004, Reza Samad found himself swimming against the tide, literally; in an attempt to rescue two of his friends came across a century-long gap that continues to stretch till date. The need and urgency of beach lifeguards and open water rescues around our coastline. Together with a small team of 5 souls, he established PALS, a nonprofit but professional body responsible for reducing incidences of death and injuries on our seashore stretching over 30 kilometres.
Today PALS stands a registered NGO with international accreditation, competent teams and a workforce dedicated to establishing public awareness, training programs, lifeguard readiness and the necessary infrastructure.
> Since inception PALS has saved over 5000 lives > Conducted over 7,000,000 preventive actions > Provided first-aid to over 6,000 people > Employs over 250 lifeguards > Watches over 8,000,000 beach visitors every year > Associated with Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) > Member of Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS), UK
A bunch of open sea rescue and recovery scenarios left us feeling safe, speechless,and fan-girling!
Beyond the Horizon
There is much to say about this organisation’s legacy but what struck me the most is how PALS highhandedly created a sustainable employment system for villagers to whom a life outside fishing and fish farming was virtually nonexistent. Today families from local communities encourage their children to seek a better life and embrace the lifeguard life with pride and honour.
During the day I got an opportunity to engage in a conversation with the team present, I spoke to one of the lifeguards, a young boy, Atiq, I didn’t even catch his second name because I was preoccupied admiring his valour, he currently studies in the 11th grade and hopes to become a licensed lifeguard trainer in the future, and that is PALS for you!
Boat Ride to Heaven
There is something nostalgic about being out on the open sea and it wasn’t any different for me (hey that rhymed). Our group boarded the ferry-like boat on the water and headed towards our next stop. At the risk of sounding extremely melodramatic, once the anchor is withdrawn, the weight of society, relationship expectations and even the bills on the counter disappear.
In the year, 1995, Pocahontas, voiced by Judy Kuhn, in the song “Colors of the Wind,” asked: “Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?’. But you’ll soon find yourself asking: Can you paint with all the colors of the Sea...? And I am not even exaggerating, if you start counting from the horizon, the water first appears Oxford Blue, then a sparkly Prussian Blue, then Azure, and then it turns Emerald, Jade, Mint and when the water touches your fingers, it disappears – complete magic! Enough of the sappy yet?
Up next was the mighty dip into the water (with life jackets on obviously) and those who made the jump will better explain the adrenaline rush, I however opted out because I had my eye on something a little more speedy!
Aquatic Therapy
I’ve never in my life, attempted Wake Tubing but I can safely admit that it is now my favorite water sport, courtesy of PALSOutdoors! If I was to make my way from the boat to French Beach, I was going to do it in style and as Khaled Hosseini said, “for you, a thousand times over”, let’s just leave it at that.
When I finally got down at the shore, I felt liberated.
Kiss at Sunset
A sunset is the sun’s fiery kiss to the night.” ―
Our wonderful day in the sun came to a breathtaking close on the French Beach with good food and music (If only I had saved the pictures from my Instagram Stories in time)! And after a series of picture-esque angles on the beach-rock, it was time to head home but not before I made sure I soaked up every last inch of Vitamin D possible (making both my Nutritionist and Mom proud) and dipped my toes in the sand. At 06:00 PM we took in the last moment of ‘a view to kill’, and turned around towards our concrete jungle.
Currently PALS Rescue relies on public and corporate donations and/or sponsorship opportunities to continue its mission, I’d encourage you to come forward and contribute to this exemplary vision or perhaps book a day with your family/special someone!
This post is not produced under a paid partnership.