Training Begins for Junior Lifeguards

Hundreds of young local lifeguards began Monday, taking over the beach for a morning filled with swimming, surfing and ocean safety.

The 270 youngsters said that the day was exciting, serving as the first of the Hermosa Beach Junior Lifeguards program. The five-week curriculum, which runs until July 30, is designed to instruct junior lifeguards across Los Angeles County in lifeguarding techniques, including water safety, physical conditioning and first aid.

By the end of July, the young lifeguards will acquire the skills and practices of the certified pros, said Jeff Horn,  director of the Los Angeles County Junior Lifeguard program.

"The Junior Lifeguards, as young as 9 years old, are getting firsthand experience from lifeguard instructors on how to swim, surf and run in and around the ocean in the case of an emergency," he explained.

Pencil diving, in which lifeguards straighten their bodies to move underneath waves, was one of  several techniques the junior lifeguards learned. exercise, .  Perfecting such exercises, which also included buoy and dolphin swimming techniques, increases children's physical skills and teaches them life lessons, parents said.

"This is the beginning of [their] independence, confidence and self discipline," said Terry Kaltsas, whose son Demetri, 10, is enrolled in the program.

"Most of the parents love it," she said. "When kids are at the beach by themselves, we won't have to worry because they'll know how to handle a riptide and do CPR."

Though some are new to the program, being a certified lifeguard is the future goal of many. Some program participants are already practicing cadets, which is the next step before becoming a lifeguard. 

"We know a couple of people that were junior lifeguards that are now real lifeguards," said Kyra, 10, who enrolled in the program with her sister. "They're probably 17 or 18 years-old."

Almost all of the juniors have the skills needed for a future as a lifeguard, Horn said. Before joining the program, the youth have to complete a 100-yard swim test in a time of less than 1 minute 50 seconds.

Nearly three-quarters of youth, ages 9 to 17, living in Hermosa Beach took the test in May and are now qualified as junior lifeguards. Once they make it into the program, the young lifeguards are separated into different age groups and begin a rigorous training regimen of swimming and running laps.

"The first day is always hard, but it was so much fun because we get to be with our friends," said second-year junior lifeguard Rose Allen.