Surf

“Surf beach lifeguards must be intimately familiar with waves and wave action so that they can effectively intervene when the powerful surf overwhelms swimmers, surfers, boaters and others. It is strongly recommended that all surf beach lifeguards spend extensive periods in activities such as board surfing, body surfing, and paddling rescue boards. It allows lifeguards to learn to read waves, anticipate when they will break, and use the same forces that endanger swimmers to quickly rescue them. -United Surf Lifesaving Association/Open Water Lifesaving 3rd edition

At camp there will be a daily educational progression on how waves are created, how they travel and how they react to local topography cause breaking waves and rip currents. Junior’s will learn how to read waves and the surf line up. After lunch everyday juniors will enjoy extensive period  in board surfing, body surfing and paddling boarding. 

Beach and Ocean Orientation

Junior Lifeguards will orientate themselves to the beach environment using a situational awareness exercise every morning learning to recognize and mitigate present risk on the beach and in the ocean. Junior lifeguards will learn how waves are created and the effect they have on shoreline topography. The anatomy of a rip current will be broken down to give junior lifeguards a complete understanding of the mechanics and how to use it when surfing and how educate their friends and family to survive it. Junior lifeguards will become familiar with fixed rip currents created by sand bars and permanent rip currents at their local inlet jetties and piers.

Surfing Survival

Junior Lifeguards will learn how to safety enter the ocean, negotiate shore break and in coming waves through the "inside" of the surf zone. Rip current survival techniques: treading water and floating on their back will be taught. Surf crafts are introduced going over all aspect of design how not to get injured by it. Self rescue techniques are taught i.e.  board rescue and/or roll to assist a surfer in need and surf leash removal due to entanglement and more.

Lifeguards Skills

Junior Lifeguards will learn the definition of drowning and what it looks like. Junior lifeguards will have fun learning about professional lifeguard equipment using rescue buoys, tubes and boards to make rescues. 

First-aid

Junior lifeguards will learn the importance of hydration  and proper sunscreen application. Bleeding control will be demonstrated and learned by the use of direct pressure bandaging and tourniquets. After completing lifeguard rescue skills junior lifeguards will learn to continue life saving with rescue breathing and CPR will the addition of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Competition

Junior lifeguards will be introduce the international "Surf Lifesaving Sport."  Every day one event of surf lifesaving competition will be introduced. Events included are: long distance run race, swim races, and paddling races on our prone boards. All event disciplines lead up to the "Iron Guard" event. Junior Lifeguards will participant in this tri-event of running, swimming and paddling proving to themselves they have what it takes  to be "Top Guard." Flags, a camp favorite will also keep these junior lifeguards entertained.