Lifeguards for summer

Even a broken arm can’t keep 12-year-old Tara Jacobson out of the water.

The soaking wet, bright-eyed little girl said when it looked like she’d have to sit out of swimming races during the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Program’s competition day Thursday, she simply wrapped her pink cast in plastic so she could compete.

The weekly competitions are her favorite part of the camp, she said. That probably has to do with her being one of the fastest swimmers.

“I’m probably one of the top five here,” Jacobson said. “I was nervous about the running, though. I’m not a very fast runner.”

Jacobson is one of about 1,200 kids aged 9 to 15 enrolled in this year’s Junior Lifeguard Program, an annual eight-week program teaching kids ocean and beach safety, first aid and the basics of being a lifeguard. The classes are three hours four days a week, starting on Mondays. Thursday is always competition day, and at the end of the eight weeks, the boy and girl who have accumulated the most points through all the competitions win trophies.

For the 40-plus instructors, having 600 motivated, competitive kids poses an entertaining challenge.

“When you get all of these A-Type personalities together, it can be a good handful,” said Jennifer Bloomfield, a 20-year lifeguard veteran. She said she chose her other job, as a math teacher in Corona del Mar, specifically so she can do this camp in the summer.

“Coming to work and being a part of this is my favorite thing. I can’t just pick one thing,” Bloomfield said.

The program celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Veteran instructors like Bloomfield attribute the program’s life lessons to its continued success.

“It’s just a fun thing to do in the summer,” said 12-year-old Mitchell Mendoza. “It’s hanging out with friends. I feel like a veteran out here.”

Mendoza is one of many long-time junior lifeguards. In his fourth summer in the program, he has undoubtedly received his fill of the program’s mission: SPCT-squared, which stands for special, safety, professionalism, positiveness, consistency, communication, thoroughness and teamwork.

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JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.