City selects 20 for lifeguard training

Twenty people were selected out of the 44 who registered and tried out

Sunday to participate in Newport Beach’s introductory lifeguard training

program.

The tryouts included a 1000-meter swim and, then 30 minutes later, a

1000-meter run-swim-run. The scores of the two events were combined and

the top 20 candidates will continue the hiring process for the training

program. Those selected will be compensated at minimum wage.

The cadet program is an introductory lifeguard training program

designed for 15- and 16-year-olds. Many candidates who complete the

program are prepared to compete for seasonal lifeguard jobs the following

summer. The cadet program introduces the participants to CPR, first aid

and ocean rescue skills. The program includes 108 hours of training over

a six-week period each summer.

The top finishers for the two events this year were Bryan Auer and

Reed Honrath. Auer finished first in the swim event and second in the run

event, and Reed finished second in the swim event and first in the run

event. The top female finisher was Katie Erickson, who finished ninth

overall. The program will begin July 1.