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.