On Friday, around 100 Keiki and Junior Lifeguard students wrapped up the third week of the program that provides instruction in water safety and ocean awareness.
This year for the first time, Junior Lifeguards from the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, in partnership with the county’s Ocean Safety Bureau, had four Juniors — Kahelelani Brede, Jai Kalani Dominguez, Koloaiaheahe Kuhaulua and Koa Christoper Rine — leading and mentoring the program in the Ocean Safety Bureau’s inaugural internship program.
“We also have ‘alaka‘i,’ or Juniors that did not participate in the internship program, but have put in the time and commitment like Mahina Urminska,” said Chantal Zarbaugh of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association. “Many of these young people have been part of the program for years, sharing their ocean safety knowledge and inspiring keiki to lead with aloha. Program instructors emphasize the importance of these young leaders who model courage, care, respect, responsibility and community every summer.”
The free water safety program is open to youngsters aged 8 through 17. Young people aged 8 to 11 are in the Keiki program, and youth 12 to 17 are in the Junior Lifeguard program.
The week-long program opens on Monday and continues through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is open to keiki who qualified for eligibility by swimming and running 50 yards non-stop with no assistance. Junior participants qualified by swimming and running 100 yards.
The program returns to the Salt Pond Beach Park the week starting July 7.
During the program, participants receive hands-on training on things like lifesaving and rescue skills. The Keiki and Junior participants also learn CPR and First Aid as well as developing teamwork and problem solving skills.
The teams learn about beach hazards and become more sensitive to ocean safety awareness.
Normally, the participants are responsible for providing their own lunches and snacks. But this year they got some assistance.
“Mahalo to Duke’s Kauai for providing lunch on Friday,” Zarbaugh said. “And Northshore Preserve for lunches the past two weeks, fueling the keiki and juniors following a morning of rescue drills and ocean safety learning.”
The Keiki and Junior Lifeguard Program also extends gratitude to the many parents who come out to support each day, the County of Kauai Fire Department, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, and the numerous sponsors whose continued support make this program possible.
Source: The Garden Island
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