Warriors Teach Life-Saving Skills in Thailand
Summer training gave the Westmont women’s swimming program a profound new purpose this year. Head coach Jill Lin, her nearly five-year-old son, Caden, and 10 swimmers, including three recent graduates, traveled to Northern Thailand for a historic outreach trip July 30-Aug. 16.
“Paladin Rescue Alliance reached out to our team, and once we learned more about them, we felt called to participate,” Lin says. “The leading cause of death for children in Thailand is drowning — and they’re also at high risk of being trafficked.”
Paladin saw the need and created an English-language water-safety and human-trafficking camp, which they run at remote schools in North Thailand. “Since we’re swimmers, we felt an immediate connection to the mission and were excited to see how the gifts and skills we’ve been given could bless others,” Lin says.
The trip challenged the team with new environments and packed schedules, including running three to four 45-minute swim lessons a day in cold water. Despite language barriers and minor obstacles, the swimmers adapted easily.
“We didn’t know what to expect, so almost everything surprised us,” Lin says. “I was truly amazed how they took minor inconveniences in stride. They adjusted and adapted to every challenge, and it was cool to watch them thrive in the classroom and the pool.”
The lessons offered the local children a rare opportunity. With no pools within 100 miles of their school and their swimming options limited to the town river, many kids faced deep fears to take part.
“I got to work with one little girl who had tears in her eyes almost the whole lesson, but she did everything we asked her to do,” Lin recalls. “Her bravery was so inspiring. She knew the cost of not learning to swim: It could mean her life one day. She didn’t let her fear prevent her from learning how to float.”
The team experienced powerful moments of connection. Thirteen local students joined the Warriors for a night of singing worship songs and exchanging random handwritten cards of encouragement. Caden also brought immense joy to the trip, playing with a baby elephant, riding a bamboo raft down a river and witnessing the team serve.
The experience left an undeniable impact on the program, changing how the swimmers view their sport and their mission.
“I believe it’s given us greater appreciation for the opportunity to swim, a skill we’re privileged to possess,” says Lin. “We grew so much closer by spending so much concentrated time in a completely new — and at times uncomfortable —environment. Additionally, for everyone who went, it sparked a new-found passion for mission/service trips. We’re already talking about the next one!”
The team plans a return trip in May 2028, with swimmers eager to lead the charge alongside the team at Paladin Rescue Alliance.
“We made such strong connections with their staff, and we want to go back and serve with them as soon as we can!”