Newport Beach monsters come out to swim

Spiders, mermaids and a lifeguard truck made from a cardboard box were among the visitors to the Newport Beach junior lifeguards’ Monster Mile competition Thursday.

More than 1,000 kids — some in costume — made the 1-mile run along the beach from the Newport Pier to 10th Street and then plunged into the balmy 75-degree water to swim back to the pier.

It’s the big challenge near the end of the eight-week junior lifeguard program, and this year, Newport Beach Fire Chief Steve Lewis decided to test his skills.

“I did have to pass a physical when I came on here, but I didn’t have to run a mile and swim a mile,” he said. “I could tell they [the junior lifeguards] were like, ‘We’ve got to beat him.’”

Some kids wore costumes or face paint in keeping with the monster theme, and others did their own thing like the cardboard lifeguard truck.

Those who weren’t able to swim the mile completed other activities on the beach, and the whole thing was capped by an awards ceremony.

While other cities have junior lifeguard programs, the Monster Mile is “unique to Newport,” lifeguard spokeswoman Jennifer Shulz said.