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March 31, 2009
Shelley Szafraniec
Community Information Specialist

JUNIOR LIFEGUARD PROGRAM GEARS UP; COUNTYWIDE TRYOUTS IN MAY

Youths between the ages of 9 - 15 who are looking for sun, fun and beach education, might find the answer to their summer “what to do?” woes in the Junior Lifeguard Program.

Now in its 19th year, the program provides instruction in techniques of beach safety and lifesaving. During the five-day course, junior lifeguards will undergo professional surf training and daily team relays involving surfboard paddling, swimming, running and beach flags. Students also will be instructed in first aid and CPR techniques.

The Junior Lifeguard Program is not a “learn to swim” program. To qualify, junior lifeguards must have a basic swimming ability, including the ability swim 100 yards within 2:15 minutes, tread water for five minutes and swim underwater 10 feet.

Pre-registration is not available for the program. Returning juniors are not required to tryout. Youths seeking entry into the camp must attend one of the following tryout sessions:

• Saturday, May 2, 9 a.m. - noon, Ormond Beach YMCA, 51 Center St., Ormond Beach
• Saturday, May 2, 2 - 4 p.m., Southeast Volusia YMCA, 148 West Turgot Ave., Edgewater
• Saturday, May 9, 9 a.m. - noon, Port Orange YMCA, 4701 City Center Parkway, Port Orange
• Saturday, May 9, 2 - 4 p.m., Deltona YMCA, 280 Wolf Pack Run, Deltona
• Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. - noon, Ormond Beach YMCA, 51 Center St., Ormond Beach
• Saturday, May 16, 2 - 4 p.m., DeLand YMCA, 761 International Speedway Blvd, DeLand
• Saturday, May 23, 9 a.m. - noon, Port Orange YMCA, 4701 City Center Parkway, Port Orange
• Saturday, May 23, 2 - 4 p.m., Ormond Beach YMCA, 51 Center St., Ormond Beach

Enrollment is limited. Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Upon completion of the physical skills test, a $125 tuition fee will be due. As part of the program, a bathing suit and a rash guard will be provided by Beach Services and must be worn by junior lifeguards.

Program sessions are from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., at the following locations:

• June 8 - 12, Ormond Beach lifeguard station
• June 15 - 19, Dunlawton lifeguard station
• June 22 - 26, New Smyrna Beach lifeguard station
• June 29 - July 3, Ormond Beach lifeguard station
• July 6 - July 10, Dunlawton lifeguard station
• July 13 - 17, Ormond Beach lifeguard station

For more information, please contact Volusia County Beach Patrol at jrlifeguard@co.volusia.fl.us or (386) 239-6414, ext. 270.

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