As of: February 7, 2024, 7:00 p.m
By: Armin Forster
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At the age of 85, he is still very active at the Moosburger Wasserwacht: Johann Meister still gives swimming courses for children and adults, he also takes on security duties and is involved in many other areas of the BRK rescue organization.
© Wasserwacht Moosburg
He has been a member of the Moosburg water rescue service for almost 70 years and still gives swimming courses.
Now Johann Meister celebrated his birthday - and he doesn't even think about stopping.
Moosburg
- When Johann Meister climbs into the pool of the Moosburg outdoor pool, it's not just for a leisurely pensioner swim.
No, the senior, who recently celebrated his 85th birthday, is teaching others to swim there.
Despite his old age, he still gives courses and also works diligently at the Moosburger Wasserwacht.
So it's no wonder that a delegation from the BRK department stopped by to congratulate him on his semi-circular day of honor.
Active with the Moosburger Wasserwacht since 1954
Johann Meister is the oldest still active member of the Wasserwacht local group.
He joined in 1954 and this year he will be serving the rescue community for an incredible 70 years.
“Hans and his wife Erna have always been the father and mother of the company,” says local boss Stefan Aigner and laughs.
No matter whether it's a camp, a lesson or a security guard at the outdoor pool: Meister is still actively involved.
“Right now he’s giving an adult swimming course again,” reports Aigner.
“And if we called Hans at 1 a.m. because the heating was out, he would come and fix it.”
After all, the trained electrician has enormous technical skills, which he played a leading role in the construction of the equipment hall and the security station at the aqua park and which is still in demand.
Even on dinghy trips, Meister sometimes sits at the helm.
“But if it’s too hot, he just stays on land and butters our sausage rolls.”
The Moosburg water rescue management also congratulated the jubilee Johann Meister: (from left) technical manager Tobias Lahr, vice-chairman Tobias Huber and boss Stefan Aigner.
© Wasserwacht Moosburg
His long voluntary commitment has already earned the 85-year-old several top-class awards.
Among other things, he was the first district citizen to be awarded the Henry Dunant Gold Medal of the Red Cross.
Johann Meister's secret recipe for a long, vital life
When asked how one manages to be active in the water rescue service for such a long time, Johann Meister gives a very simple answer: “Because I simply enjoy it.
When you see how some people do it in the first hour of the course - and after ten or twelve hours they are already swimming: That's nice!" His secret recipe for a vital life even in old age is: "In any case, don't lie around at home on the couch "But stay active." For him, in his private life, that means gardening, making wood or regularly cycling into the city center.
And when will the moment come when a Hans Meister says: I've had enough of the water rescue service?
The 85-year-old thinks for a moment, then laughs and says: “If the Grim Reaper gets in the way, then I’ll stop.”