Junior Lifeguards Hit Beach for Taplin Relays

Manhattan Beach's Junior Lifeguard program is participating in the "Super Bowl" of all summer competitions today – the annual Taplin Relays at Dockweiler Beach in Playa del Rey.

Local lifeguards-in-training will compete against teams from other Southern California beaches, including El Segundo, North Hermosa, South Hermosa, Redondo, Torrance, Venice,  Zuma, Santa Monica, Will Rogers, Cabrillo and Avalon.

Competition begins at 8:30 a.m. and lasts until 1:30 p.m. between Lifeguard Towers 50 and 51.

The Taplins have been part of the Junior Lifeguard tradition for many years and require the ultimate in teamwork and unity. Instructors select an 18-person team consisting of six runners, six paddlers and six swimmers. Teams from each beach race against each other in a relay format.

The "C" Division (ages 9-11) competes first at 9 a.m., followed by the "B" Division (ages 12-13) at 10 a.m. and the Boys/Girls "A" Divisions (ages 14-15) at 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. 

There will also be a six-person "Junior" Taplin Relay for the "A" and "AA" (ages 16-17) levels on Saturday in Hermosa Beach at 7 p.m., just before the start of the Lifeguard Taplin Relay in the International Surf Festival. 

Click here for more information and directions.