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Teach your child ocean safety this summer

By Staff | Apr 29, 2010

The county Department of Parks and Recreation last week announced plans for one of its most popular summer programs.

Parents and young West Siders take note: the county will hold registration for the 2010 Junior Lifeguard Program on May 1 and 8 beginning at 9 a.m. at Hanakao‘o Beach Park (Canoe Beach).

The two-week Junior Lifeguard Program was designed to train boys and girls ages 11 to 17 in lifesaving water skills and develop an awareness of beach hazards and ocean conditions.

Participants will also learn First Aid and CPR techniques while improving their health and fitness.

Every spring, we get calls and e-mails from parents looking for this program, because this insight from Archie Kalepa and Maui’s world-renowned water safety officers is priceless.

Young swimmers, surfers, canoe paddlers and other ocean enthusiasts can learn how to keep themselves and others safe in Maui’s dangerous conditions.

Both beach and pool programs will be offered in two sessions: June 14-25 and July 12-23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To qualify for the beach program, participants must be 13 to 17 years old and able to swim 400 yards in 12 minutes. Pool program participants must be age 11-17 and able to swim 100 yards in three minutes.

The beach program will be held in West Maui, the North Shore, Kihei, Hana and Lanai, and the pool program will be offered in Kahului and Kihei.

For all programs, the suggested donation is just $15, payable by check to “Hawaiian Lifeguard Association-Maui Chapter.”

For more information, contact Fran Yamamoto in the Department of Parks and Recreation at 270-7138.