Untanning the lifeguards

Lolita Harper

Being active, outdoors and under the warm rays of the Southern

California sun are what draw many to junior lifeguard programs, but

fun in the sun comes with a price, health officials said.

Community educators from Children’s Hospital of Orange County

spoke to about 1,200 junior lifeguards Monday in Newport Beach about

the importance of sun safety. They highlighted the importance of sun

protection, the aging effects of sun exposure and what types of skin

are most susceptible to serious health dangers.

“Of course we went out to present to these kids because they are

in the sun so often,” said Kim Kunody , the marketing manager at

CHOC.

Health educators want to make children aware of the importance of

sun safety so they can take preventive measures and incorporate them

into everyday life, Kunody said.

One of the most important things to remember is to wear sunscreen,

she said. Even on cloudy days, the sun’s rays are getting through and

can do damage, she said. It is also important to reapply the lotion

periodically because it wears off as the day wears on.

Another tip, although usually not well-received by beachgoers, is

to protect skin by covering up, she said. Kunody recommended

long-sleeved shirts and wide-brimmed hats to block the sun’s rays.

“Of course we realize that people don’t go to the beach in

long-sleeved shirts, so that’s why we really hammer home the

sunscreen issue,” Kunody said.

Jon Mitchell, the assistant coordinator of the Newport Beach

Junior Lifeguard program, said the “sun smarts” message was right in

line with what the Junior Lifeguard program instructors try to

promote.

Mitchell said the lifeguards must wear their uniforms on the

beach, including a hat and T-shirt. Junior lifeguards are out in the

sun for three hours at a time, every day, he said, and it is

important to keep their skin protected.

CHOC educators left the children, who vary in age from 9 to 15,

with packets of sunscreen and ChapStick to ensure they are armed with

sun protection tools.

“It’s a hot topic,” Mitchell said. “The old days of putting on oil

so you can get as dark as you can are not the trend anymore.”