Every Thursday night from five to nine pm, out in the far corner of Pierce College, way up high, a person watches others, ready to take action at any given moment. No he’s not a serial killer or a stalker but a lifeguard, although, 19-year old Jordan Boon Bernstein, second year Pierce student is far more than the reflection in the water.
“To go from what he went through and to be so positive and do so well in life,” said Ariel “Ari” Saidian is an aspect of his close friend he admires.
Bernstein started off as a socially awkward pre-teen who became addicted to drugs and alcohol in high school to today breaking a Pierce College swim record which affected the decision on keeping the swim team as it was initially to be cut due to lack of funding.
Months of therapy and getting back in the water are what helped Bernstein pass these speed bumps to gain consistency in life, he said.
“I feel more comfortable in the pool, I’m not really a land creature,” he said.
Bernstein graduated middle school with four other students which he said academically enriched his studies but not socially as he went into high school not knowing how to interact.
“It’s hard to explain. Alcoholics describe life as everyone has a handbook in life and they didn’t get it,” Bernstein said.
After two and a half years of staying clean and more than 18 hours a week dedicated to swimming, Fred Shaw, swim coach said Bernstein’s more mature now and gets along with everybody.
“At first, I didn’t know if he’ll fit in but the really impressive thing about him is he connects with people you wouldn’t expect” said Deborah Hefter, swimming pool surfer who’s known Bernstein for over a year now.
Saidian’s first impression of Bernstein was that he was Jewish, which he’s not and over time Bernstein has become one of Saidian’s closest friend, a good person to talk to, and a grocery shopping companion.
“He helped me buy good frozen fruits and showed me how to prep for the day,” said Saidian.
Although Bernstein’s grocery shopping tips are great, Saidian and Shaw both said his best quality is his humorous and charming personality.
“I know you’d want to say his looks but his best feature is his personality,” said Saidian.
His natural speed in the water, good coordination, and fast switch are what make him one of the best freestyle sprinters and made him the anchor that created the new Pierce College record of one minute, 38 seconds, and 88 milliseconds for a 200-medley relay last year, said Shaw.
“He’s got a good feel for the water, it’s great for a coach to have a swimmer like him,” said Shaw.
Bernstein’s also a good employee and great with the kids who come over summer for swim lessons as Hefter added that parents have come up individually to compliment Bernstein on his techniques.
Bernstein likes working with the kids as he too feels like one, “I admire how observant kids are and they don’t get enough credit for that,” said Bernstein.
Swimming is something he really enjoys so he can’t ever imagine giving it up although it’s not his life career, Bernstein said.
“It’s like a hobby, but more than a hobby. Swimming is my rhythm,” said Bernstein.
Bernstein’s applying to private universities this year as at the end of his current, second year at Pierce College, he won’t be able to swim and he doesn’t want a break from the water.
“At the end of high school, I hit some speed bumps,” said Bernstein although high school was also where a physics teacher aspired him to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.
A friend, team mate, student, swimmer, and a lifeguard, Bernstein’s confident about his reflection.
“I admire his confidence in himself, he isn’t afraid to be who he is,” said Hefter.
