Applications Available for Ventura County Junior Lifeguard Program

    OXNARD, CA, March 25, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Enrollment applications are now available to youth interested in participating in the Ventura County 2017 Junior Lifeguard Program.

The Junior Lifeguard Program, sponsored by the Ventura County Harbor Department, offers youth 8 to 15 years of age the opportunity to receive instruction in lifeguard rescue techniques, emergency medical first-aid, ocean sports activity, physical conditioning, marine ecology, and public service. Participants must be 8 years of age by June 19 - the first day of instruction. Enrollment for the program is first come, first served. Due to the popularity of the program, enrollment is expected to fill to capacity quickly.

"We couldn't be more proud to connect Ventura County's youth to marine-oriented activities that promote self-esteem, independence, and cooperation," said Lyn Krieger, Ventura County Harbor Department Director. "This program builds memories and skills that will last a lifetime."

There will be two sessions (each limited to 120 participants) to the program. Session One is scheduled from June 19 to July 14 and Session Two is scheduled from July 17 to August 11. Each session will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday - Friday at Silver Strand Beach. Applications can be picked up at the Ventura County Harbor Department at 3900 Pelican Way Oxnard, CA 93035 or online at bit.ly/VCJuniorLifeguard.

New Participants

First time participants are required to tryout and qualify before being accepted in the program. In order to qualify, new participants must be able to swim 150 yards in less than four minutes, float or tread water for two minutes, and be able to dive underwater to a depth of 7 feet. No exceptions.

Tryouts are being held from 10 a.m. to noon on May 20, June 10, and July 1 at the Oxnard High School Aquatic Center, located at 3400 W. Gonzales Rd. Oxnard, CA 93036. A parent/guardian must be present during the tryout.

There is a fee to enroll in the program. For more information, please call the Ventura County Harbor Patrol at (805) 973-5959.

As the first recreational harbor in Ventura County, Channel Islands Harbor has become one of the largest in California. It now includes over 300 acres of land and water, but the initial development included only a small portion of the current harbor area. Additional construction took place over the years, including the west channel of the harbor, along Harbor Boulevard and Peninsula Road. Development of the harbor has been largely accomplished through leases with private developers, who have constructed eight marinas (not including the three constructed by
the County) comprising over 2200 boat slips, two hotels, two yacht club buildings, two boat yards, three shopping areas, restaurants, a Maritime Museum, over 100 condominiums and 485 apartments. In addition, public agencies have provided parks, restrooms, the public launch ramp and parking for the public. For more information on Channel Islands Harbor visit http://www.channelislandsharbor.org.

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