Fun

"Surfing Comes First!" Surfing when the waves are good along with the right tide always takes priority with the schedule of the day. There will always be plenty of surf crafts on hand how ever our junior's would like to surf whether it's a surfboard, prone board, body board or if they would like to simply body surf. Juniors will learn to surf through crawl, walk, run approach. Generally after lunch (unless the tide is good before)  Juniors will be broken up into three groups. Each group will rotate through three stations. At the ocean swimming station (crawl) juniors will  acclimate their body in the ocean by ocean swimming and body surfing. At our prone paddle boarding station (walk) juniors will learn how and get reps on effective paddling techniques. Paddling makes up approximately 90% of surfing and must be mastered to surf on their own. Juniors will learn how to paddle towards and into breaking waves. At our surfing station (run) juniors will put it all together on our surfboards. Junior are assisted in this station, however, quickly encourage to paddle into waves with their own paddle power. Teaching juniors to surf "down the line" is our surfing goal. 

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.

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, tube 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.