Getting to know the sea
Suzie Harrison
About 50 children gathered in Heisler Park Tuesday morning with their
parents -- moms eagerly lathering on sunscreen and making sure
backpacks were full of everything their little ones would need for
the next couple hours. Soon, they said goodbye and the 6- to
9-year-olds, who couldn’t wait to get started with the “Little
Mermaids and Sea Cubs” activities, were off.
“Little Mermaids and Sea Cubs” is a beach and ocean exploration
program put on by the city’s Community Services Department. It is
designed to educate children about the marine environment and beach
and ocean safety. They learn about sea creatures, explore tide pools
and enjoy other outdoor exercise and fun activities.
Mary Pattillo was registering her son Noah, 7, with club leaders
as the kids received their T-shirts.
“He did it last year,” Pattillo said. “It’s a great experience, he
learned drills like lifeguards do, experienced tide pools and learned
about the ocean.”
Instructor Chad Beeler and staff members Alison Wallis, Jackie
Reed and Erik Birkelbach were on hand to assure safety first, but
also fun.
The class journeyed along the path at Heisler single file to the
different beach destinations, some skipping, other walking or
speeding up to a faster gait while chatting with those around them.
Making their way to the sand, they started out with stretching,
sit-ups and push-ups to get their bodies warmed up for their
adventures. Next they enjoyed a bit of running and getting into the
water.
“You don’t have to go in the water if you don’t want to go,”
Beeler said. “Go to your waist in the water, and when the waves come,
go underneath and come up on the other side of the wave.”
He explained that they couldn’t try to jump over the wave because
they’ll be knocked down. As they ran in and out of the chilly water,
squeals of laughter could be heard.
“I’m learning different stretches and about the ocean,” Elizabeth
Johnson, 8, said.
Mackenzie Gardett, 8, said she likes that she is learning about
the sea creatures and the tide pools.
“The humuhumu-nukunuku-a-pua’a is my favorite fish,” Mackenzie
said. “I learned about that in Hawaii where I was born.”
Their adventures took them across the sands of Picnic Beach,
continuing through Diver’s Cove to Fisherman’s Cove, while the
instructors named each beach, so they could learn the different
beaches in Laguna.
“All sea cubs and mermaids, check this out, does everyone see
these,” Beeler asked. “These are called sea slugs. They can’t swim
well. They go where the current takes them. When you see them on the
sand pick them up and put them in the water -- it will dry up and die
on the sand.”
Smiling, the children scooped up the sea life and carefully placed
them back into the ocean. One boy called out “bye-bye sea slugs” as
he ran toward the water to make his deposit.
From there, they explored tide pools, and their next adventure was
learning what the different flag colors meant that are used by the
lifeguards.
“I liked going under the waves,” Adam Lythgoe, 6, said. “I have
been in the ocean a lot -- about 50 times -- and my favorite beach is
Laguna Beach.”
The “Little Mermaids and Sea Cubs” program operates from 9 to 11
a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for six days per session. The next
class is July 15 to 31, followed by a session Aug. 15 to 21. To find
out more information, call Laguna Beach Community Services at (949)
497-0716, ext. 6.
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