Loving lifeguard camp

BALBOA PENINSULA — Nearly 600 children blanketed the sand south of the Balboa Pier Monday as part of the 24th annual Newport Junior Lifeguard training program orientation.

And that was only the afternoon shift.

A morning class meets from 9 a.m. to noon and the other class meets from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Over the next eight months, children ages 9 to 12 will learn a number of beach survival skills and build self-confidence and self-reliance, especially in the water.

Measuring 1,200 strong, the camp promises to be eventful but with the same quality schedule it has offered in the past, said program coordinator Reenie Boyer.

“Some will be very hesitant to get in the water today,” Boyer said. “But by the end of it, they will want to do a pier swim every day.”

It is the equivalent of running a small high school, said Newport Beach Fire Department spokeswoman Jennifer Schulz.

But the students keep returning, and there is never a dull moment, even when you catch onto the routine, said third-year participant Blake Bogan, 13.

“My first year I really had to pay attention,” Blake said. “Now, it’s like a routine checklist — hats, pants, shirt and you’re all done.”

This year, Blake looks forward to revisiting the oldies, like the pier jump and high-speed boat bailouts.

He’ll have something new to look forward to, as well: running the gruesome Monster Mile with his dad, Newport Beach Fire Captain Jeff Bogan.

Each child came clad in a special uniform including hat, shorts, T-shirt, bathing suit, sweatshirt and towel — all provided by surfing apparel manufacturer Quiksilver Inc.

Brightly colored fishing nets and other marine decorations lined the walls of the command headquarters in a mobile trailer, set up each year on the sand. The station comes equipped with a break room for staff, a large meeting room for lectures and films, and a first aid room.

The dangers of neck and back injuries in the surf will be covered in the film “Wipeout,” made and distributed by Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. Hoag staffers are scheduled to visit Thursday to discuss the dangers and preventions of skin cancer.

Enrollment began in March but, before signing up, each student was required to take a swim test in February at the Newport Harbor High School pool. Kids were divided into four groups based on age and swimming capabilities.