People flock to beach for tryouts

Newport Beach’s shores may be one of the safest places to hit the waves this weekend with more than 150 people expected to try out as lifeguards for the summer.

Starting at 9 a.m. Sunday, up to 173 applicants will participate in Newport Beach’s annual summer ocean lifeguard tryouts.

Participants will compete in a 1,000-meter swim, then a 1,000-meter run-swim-run competition along the shore.

Officials said about 25 people will be selected for further training, which includes a 125-hour training academy.

Last year, more than 9.8 million people visited Newport Beach’s shores, with lifeguards making 4,352 rescues and assisting more than 6,000 with medical issues.

— Joseph Serna