CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. — Although the rain had stopped, the winds had grown stronger, making swimming conditions rough for Sunday's Ocean Mile Swim. 

Swimmers participating in the charity event were given two options: They could run the mile, or they could brave the rough waters and swim it. Most of the competitors — many of whom were members of local swim clubs, and retired and current lifeguards — opted to swim for it.

One such lifeguard was Tim Hancock, a former professional triathlete who became a Clearwater lifeguard five years ago. Hancock said he chose to race not only because he believes in the work that the Tampa Bay Crisis Center does, but he also wants to shine a light on the work that Clearwater Beach lifeguards do.

“We’re kind of like a Swiss Army knife — we do a bit of everything,” he said. “Whether it’s looking for a missing child, saving a dolphin, dealing with a broken leg on the beach and obviously lifeguarding. Pulling people out of the water. Every day is different.”

“I think most people are culturally kind of fixated on Baywatch and all that kind of stuff and that doesn’t capture what we’re about,” he said.

Hancock said the job is an enormous responsibility that requires a lot of training. 

“We train every day,” he said. “Sometimes there’s a medical refresher, but most times we’re jumping in. We’re getting in the water, on the board, swimming. Just practicing the skills we need to really help people.”

As president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Crisis Center, helping is something Clara Reynolds knows all about. It’s also the reason why swimming the mile Sunday was so important to her.

“With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, there was no better opportunity than right now to talk about a swim — which for me is self-care and that’s really a lot of what we preach at the crisis center with our folks who are in crisis,” she said. “When they call us, we talk through whatever is going on with them and we get them to a place of better and remind them to take care of themselves. So, to be able to promote a swim like this today, it’s just, it’s wonderful.”

About halfway through the race, the winds died down, and the sun came up creating perfect conditions for the second half of the swim. Ultimately, representing his Clearwater Beach home base, Hancock came in first.

“It was pretty rough starting out, but great towards the end,” he said.

Sunday’s fundraiser brought in just under $5,000 for the Tampa Bay Crisis Center.