Plenty junior guard spots

As enrollment for the popular Newport Beach junior lifeguard program opens to nonresidents Tuesday, city officials say they’re happy to announce there will surely be room for everyone this year.

“No one will be left behind,” said Lifeguard Battalion Chief Reenie Boyer, who is in charge of the junior lifeguard program.

After some kids were shut out last year because there weren’t enough spaces, the program underwent some controversial changes. The formerly eight-week program was divided into two four-week sessions in an effort to accommodate every kid who wanted to join, even those who don’t live in Newport Beach.

“It really was an impact on those that had to be turned away,” Newport Beach Mayor Don Webb said.

Costa Mesa resident Lara Bradbury, who’s 10-year-old daughter, Sara, passed the required swim test, said her family was glad to hear that there was still room in the program.

“I’m excited that she’s going to have an opportunity to participate,” Bradbury said. “I think it’s going to be an invaluable experience.”

More than 1,200 kids have already signed up during priority enrollment for Newport Beach residents. Many of the first days of priority enrollment saw long lines at the junior guard headquarters on the Balboa Peninsula.

With more Newport residents registering this year than last year, Boyer said it’s a good thing the program was expanded to accommodate more kids.

“We have many more than 1,200 Newport residents now ? we would have had to deny participation to a Newport resident with the old plan,” Boyer said.

Following a two-week priority enrollment period for Newport Beach children, the program will be opened to everyone at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

Although some may not get their first choice of which session they want to attend, every child is guaranteed a spot, Boyer said.

As for the projected number of kids who will be joining this year’s junior guards, it’s still to early to tell, Boyer said.

A total of 1,500 kids passed the required swim test, Boyer said. If they had a medical excuse, some kids were given a chance to make up the swim test. Also, not everyone who passed the swim test will enroll in junior guards, Boyer said.

A handful of parents and kids were upset when they first heard about the changes to the junior lifeguard program; some said they were worried that the shortened sessions would take away from the experience.

Whatever hesitations existed about the changes may have subsided; exit surveys taken at junior guard sign-ups last week showed an overwhelming support for the new changes, Boyer said.

“The plus is that we’re able to offer participation to anyone that wants to learn how to be ocean-safe,” Boyer said.dpt.19-lifeguard-CPhotoInfoSE1P3MUH20060319iwcimrknDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)A line to register for junior lifeguards forms in Newport Beach. Two sessions are now available.