As people head to the beaches this summer, junior lifeguards will be on alert, and this year there will be more of them as it is a record year for lifeguard tryouts.
More than 3,230 kids have already tried out for the Junior Lifeguard program, said Chief Lifeguard Mike Frazer of the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Division which makes it a banner year since there were a total of 3,000 junior lifeguards last year. Frazer said he is not surprised by the popularity of the program.
“We have a really, really good reputation,” Frazer said. “It’s a well-structured program.”
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It is also one of the most economical summer programs for children with a cost of $480 for five weeks, he said. The 85 instructors work up and down the coast to make sure the junior lifeguards are well trained. However, in addition to learning first aid and other life-saving measures, the lifeguards learn valuable lessons to help make them competitive when they’re away from the beach.
“We’re trying to instill confidence in these kids which we do,” Frazer said. “We safely challenge them to exceed their own expectations.”
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There are two more tryouts to go this season. To be a junior lifeguard, you must be between the ages of nine and 17.
The Junior Lifeguard program is scheduled to begin July 2. To find out more information, visit the web site online.
