Huntington Beach Junior Lifeguard instructor Jordan Lisnock jumps off the pier as young junior lifeguards cheer him on in 2016. (Ana Venegas, Staff File)
By LAYLAN CONNELLY | [email protected] | Orange County Register
Don’t put those lifesaving buoys away just yet.
Huntington Beach announced it will be holding a modified Junior Lifeguard program, after previously announcing plans to not hold the popular beach lifesaving classes for kids. The move comes as the state announced easing restrictions and moving into Stage 3 of California’s reopening, which allows modified day camps. Newport Beach is also planning to hold junior guards for all age groups, rather than just an older group of kids as planned.
“As the current COVID-19 pandemic has continued to impact our community, our residents have come to realize that the current regulations and dynamic nature of the pandemic are changing on a daily basis,” the city’s announcement said. “The decision that was previously made to cancel the Huntington Beach City Junior Lifeguard program was extremely difficult.”
The modified programs, using new guidelines, will “continue with the long standing tradition of prioritizing the safety of both our students and instructors,” officials said.