Public safety ramps up staff in preparation for upcoming Fourth of July weekend
Fourth of July banners inform visitors of the city’s planned celebration at Huntington Beach Pier on Wednesday.
(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)
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This time last year, cities were scrambling to close their beaches in response to a summer surge of COVID-19 cases.
Laguna Beach was the first to close its city beaches to avoid groups a place to gather. Newport Beach closed its beaches after two lifeguards tested positive for COVID-19. Huntington Beach swiftly followed suit, out of concern the city would be inundated if it had the only beach open for the holiday weekend.
Newport Beach council to consider design for Junior Lifeguards building
The Junior Lifeguards program currently operates out of a 2,160-square-foot trailer with no water or sewer system.
(Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)
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Conceptual plans for the new Newport Beach Junior Lifeguards headquarters will soon have their day in the sun when the City Council on Tuesday takes up the proposed project south of the Balboa Pier.
Program backers have pushed for a new headquarters since at least 2011. The Junior Lifeguards program operates out of a 2,160-square-foot trailer with no water or sewer system.
The project was initially deferred in 2017 due to pension costs that strained the city’s budget, then was again benched last year as the city prepared for what was an expected $13.5 million budget shortfall while the pandemic waged on.
Lifeguard tryouts to begin in Newport Beach
A Newport Beach lifeguard watches everyone from experienced body surfers to visitors unfamiliar with powerful waves at the Wedge in Newport Beach. The Newport Beach lifeguards will have tryouts on Sunday.
(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)
It’s February, which means June’s only four months away.
So, it’s just about time for Newport Beach to start preparing its newest crop of lifeguards for the summer.
Tryouts begin this weekend, albeit a little differently than in previous years due to the pandemic. The physical exam will take place Sunday and challenge about 95 lifeguard hopefuls to endure water temperatures of 55 to 60 degrees.
Need a job? Lifeguard tryout season is kicking off in Orange County [The Orange County Register]
Feb. 4 The office is the sand and surf.
The job? To keep beachgoers safe, in and out of the water.
Lifeguard agencies along Orange County’s coastline are gearing up for tryout season, a unique job application process that requires lifeguard hopefuls to beat out the competition during rigorous swim and run races. It also requires applicants to be able to withstand frigid water in the 50s that can send a chilling shock through the body.
With the ongoing coronavirus concern, tryouts will be a bit different this year for those who show up hoping to score a seasonal job at the beach.