Junior Lifeguard Tryouts Begin Saturday

Summer will soon be here, and like every year, that means the arrival of the City of Imperial Beach's Junior Lifeguard program.

Swim tryouts will be held May 19 and 26 from 9 a.m. to noon and May 30 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Mar Vista High School pool.

Young people ages 9-16 can be junior lifeguards, but first they must pass swim tests.

First, they must swim 100 yards within a certain amount of time.

"Then after they do the swim they have to tread water for three minutes," said Brittney Hansen, an Imperial Beach lifeguard and coordinator of the Junior Lifeguard program.

Applications must be completed before swim tryouts.

For all forms and more information, including a Parent's Handbook, financial aid and about the Captain Program for teenagers, visit cityofib.com

The Junior Lifeguard program will take place from June 18 to July 13, 9-2:30 p.m. Monday to Friday for $300. Parents can also sign their kids up for the three week program from June 25 to July 13 for $225.

"Our main goal is to make each of them beach safe," Hansen said. Junior lifeguards will learn about rip currents, tides and be introduced to medical techniques lifeguards use.

Attendees will also surf, bodyboard, play games, make a day trip to La Jolla Cove and compete against Silver Strand and Coronado junior lifeguards.