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Choose the Right Summer Surf Camp or Jr. Lifeguard Program?

Choose the Right Summer Surf Camp or Jr. Lifeguard Program?

lifeguard gear, jr lifeguard, jr lifeguard program, lifeguard suits, original watermen, stay salty, watermen gearNot many people realize the benefits of sending your children to surf camp, or a professional Jr. Lifeguard program. Not only do children get the chance to interact with other kids, they learn independence and social skills in many aspects. Here is all you the information you need to make an educated decision.

Junior lifeguard programs and surf camps are available along most coast lines around the world. Each organization has their own curriculum and can be physically demanding. The junior guard programs teach lifeguarding skills, first-aid, CPR, ocean safety, rescue techniques and other ocean related skills like surfing, snorkeling and kayaking. They also learn the importance of teamwork, and how to act responsibly in critical situations. They also will participate in water competitions. Participating in these programs can lead to potential jobs and help with college scholarships.

Surf Camps will help your children develop a love for nature, water, and the outdoors. They will learn to help others and develop attitudes that build character and leadership. The camps will teach them to be self-reliant, responsible and encourage new friendships.

Summer Surf Camps

Along with the YMCA there are several privately owned or owner managed surf camps. All campers will participate in a swim screen or swim test. Camp counselors need to see how comfortable each individual camper is in the water.

Surf camps are separated according to age levels. Make sure they also are separated by ability and skill levels. Camps start with campers as young as 6 – 7 & 8 year-olds.

 Jr. Lifeguard Programs

Most junior lifeguard programs are set up for kids 7 through 17 years of age. They are taught by professional lifeguards. The camp counselors working with the junior lifeguard program are chosen based on their work history, lifeguarding experience and desire to work with kids. Students are taught in depth oceanography and wave education, along with a wide variety of beach safety skills. They will be taught first aid, CPR water rescue techniques, become proficient in their swimming skills including body surfing, boogie boarding, surfing, snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking. They will compete in events with other junior lifeguard programs.

Note: Sign up deadlines are approaching for Summer Jr. lifeguard programs.

What Should Your Child Wear?

 With Ocean temperatures ranging between 60 – 70 degrees in the summer, combined with windy mornings and afternoon fog, attention is needed when providing layers of protection for your camper. Protective layers start with sunscreen, we suggest Solrx, it stays on all day whether you are in or out of the water. As well, a Jr. lifeguard rashguard will keep your camper warm, even offering another level of sun protection.

Boardshort and Swim Suits

Don’t send your son in any type of swim wear other then boardshorts. Broadshorts are the official apparel for male lifeguards around the world. You can even add a pair of compressions shorts for protection against rashes from scratchy seams or sand deposits.

Jr. lifeguard Girls’ swim suits must be durable and tough enough to stay on through the waves. Straps on a girls’ swimsuit must be able stay on their shoulders. Different agencies have different rules on the choice between a one or two-piece rescue bikini.

Not all Surf Camps are Alike

When searching for a summer surf camp for your kids ask about their supervision ration and the training of each counselor. Camps should maintain no larger than a 2:10 ratio of staff to campers at all times however some camps supply a low of 3:1 surfer-to-instructor ratio ensuring more personalized service and a safer experience. Make sure campers are closely supervised in the water by both certified ocean lifeguards in towers and in the water. Ask about their policy on leaving children unsupervised, their bathroom policy and what happens when your child gets cold. Make sure weak swimmers will be kept in shallow water next to a surf instructor. Campers will be in the water every day for both surfing and body boarding. Body boards and surf boards should be supplied.

Summer Surf Camp Sessions

Each city, county or state will have various length sessions. Session can run for one week to five weeks. Some sessions run all day and some camp sessions run twice a day, either in the morning or in the afternoon.

What to Bring to Surf Camp or a Jr. Lifeguard Program?

Backpacks are great to store rashguards, surf hats, sweatshirts and swim fins. As well as towels, writing utensils, water bottles and snacks. Goggles are required for warm-ups and swim events throughout the day. Proper foot protection is suggested to protect your child from the hot sand. Always remember to label everything with your child’s name. Even when the lifeguards have a lost and found, kids don’t often thing to check for their stuff. That said, leave expensive items at home, the camp staff are watching your kids not their personal property. It is good to ask if wetsuits are required, as some programs necessitate them.

Note: Cell phones are not allowed during class time.

 Surf Camp and Jr. Lifeguard Program Pricing

Pricing varies between summer surf camps and Junior lifeguard programs. The YMCA price is based on the needs of your family. Other private camps have individual set prices. Jr. lifeguard programs whether put on by the state, county or city have different pricing and rules. Some may even offer scholarships.

 Surf Camp and Jr. Lifeguard Program Tryouts

Everyone must attend a tryout and pass the swimming requirements in order to be accepted into surf camp or a Jr. lifeguard program.  Candidates may attend as many tryouts as needed in order to pass the swim test. Training is recommended before attending a tryout. Tryout requirements are different for each age level. Some tryouts are given on a first-come, first-serve basis so arrive early on test day.

Once your kid finishes Summer surf camp or completes a Jr. lifeguard training program, they leave with a solid foundation of water safety for life!

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Why You Shouldn’t Swim or Surf After it Rains?

Why You Shouldn’t Swim or Surf After it Rains?

Ever hear the original watermen, earn your salt, stay salty, water safty, rain run off, clean oceanwarning ‘don’t swim or surf after it’s rained’?

Runoff Rain Water

This is because of the surface runoff in rainwater, created by urbanization. This runoff is a major source of flooding and water pollution in urban communities worldwide. Surface street run off waters are dumping serious amounts of bacteria, human and animal waste overflow and hundreds of pounds of plastic waste into the surf. Sewage pipes are allowed to overflow and discharge into rivers and the sea during storms. Yet, many people are torn between big waves, and polluted waters.

Many public officials try and make light of this issue. Recently a spokesperson for Los Angeles County stated that the debris we see after a storm does not pose a threat to the public. These same people are convinced that during these storms, dangerous sharks are sucked out of the water and tossed about, thus driving them away from the shores.

After it rains everyone should avoid entering any water especially near stream mouths, river mouths and channels. The fast-moving water not only contains overflowing sewer water but becomes inundated with a lot of abundant amounts of trash washing off the streets, including dead animals, stream fish weakened by exposure to salt water, and rubbish. After the rain these flooded murky waters attract small fish that come to feed. These small bait fish will eventually attract hungry sharks browsing to feed, that have come back towards the shallow waters. And when that happens, the low visibility, due to murky water make it more difficult for sharks to determine whether your fish or human and is known to increase the risk of people getting bitten by sharks.

Health Hazards

Ocean water contaminated with sewage, storm run-off and oil carry bacteria, parasites, and viruses, which can cause a variety of diseases. The murky waters contain high levels of bacteria that could make swimmers sick. Research is being conducted throughout the world on the dangers of rain water runoffs and the dangers of surfing or swimming during or after a rain.

Studies have found that when surfers and swimmers come in contact with sewage-polluted water they contract a wide variety of illnesses. Gastroenteritis or GI, is spread by the ingestion of bacteria pathogens in fecal-contaminated water. Symptoms are cramps vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache, nausea, headache, and fever. Other disorders causes by the polluted water include hepatitis, respiratory illness, and ear, nose, and throat problems, giardiasis, amoebic dysentery, skin rashes, and pink eye, and ear infections.

Swallowing or inhaling the polluted water through your nose or mouth or being in the water with an open sore after a rain will almost definitely cause an infection. Streptococcus bacteria also known as Strep can cause serious infections and even kill you.

As well oil carries with it bacteria, parasites, and viruses, which can cause a variety of diseases. This “toxic cocktail” of pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals and other pollutants can definitely affect your body as well.

That said, it is best to avoid polluted waters for 12 to 72 hours following heavy storms. After 3 days water levels typically return to what’s considered safe.

If you are still willing to sacrifice your health after reading this, consider moving away from runoff areas, and stay out of murky or discolored water. If you see lots of leaves and plastic bottles floating around, then get out of the water. Storm water can look clean and still have a very high concentration of disease carrying pathogens and bacteria.

It is up to you to keep yourself and family safe. Remember you will not normally see signs posted, warning the public of dangerous water. In Orange County the Department of Health has been quoted as saying, “We just assume all surfers know that the water is polluted after it rains.

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