The course teaches children how to be safe around the ocean’s hazards.
Huntington Beach’s Junior Lifeguard program will have students ages 9-17 graduating tomorrow, after they spent the summer learning about ocean safety.
The program, which runs from June to August, teaches over 1,200 students about swimming safely in the ocean and exposes “them to an environment that will teach them courtesy, respect, discipline, sound morals, and good sportsmanship.” Children get to spend time with a lifeguard and also learn about rip tides, waves, sportsmanship, and lifeguard operations, according to the city.
The world-renowned safety course has been taught since 1964, and includes many other activities such as a three mile run, swimming activities such as a pier swim, and public safety from the Huntington Beach Fire and Police departments.
This year, children also learned about CPR, a first for the program, with the intention that the junior lifeguards will go home and teach their family members.
Wrapping up their last week, the junior lifeguards are set to graduate August 12, and have been enjoying their finale snorkeling, surfing, and utilizing inflatable ocean toys.
