The official first day of summer was Saturday, but for 1,300 Newport Beach Junior Guards, summer begins today with the start of the annual ocean safety program
“The 2014 Junior Lifeguards Program starts now!” said Brian O’Rourke, a city lifeguard captain who is overseeing the program.
The Newport Beach Junior Lifeguards program began in 1984, and this year, more than 1,300 participants between 9 and 17 years old will spend seven weeks on the sand and in the ocean, learning about safety.
The morning session began at 9 a.m., with O’Rourke asking the guards to yell “epic!” when he asked how they were doing.
“How are you doing this morning?” he asked.
“Epic!” they yelled.
“It’s going to be a super epic summer,” O’Rourke said. “This ocean is your home, this beach is your back yard. Protecting it is up to every single one of us.”
Parents gathered and watched as the children were divided into groups and instructors were introduced.
“It’s so exciting,” said Melissa Chong, whose daughter, Daphne, is in her third year. “She was nervous yesterday, but today, the excitement kicked in.”
Instructors told students to sit with their legs crossed and reminded participants to say “Yes” and not “yeah” when responding to questions. One instructor, who said “yeah,” demonstrated the punishment by dropping down to do 20 pushups.
Will Axton, 15, of Costa Mesa, is in the A group — the oldest of the guards.
“Have fun and a good attitude,” he said, offering his advice to the younger participants.
“Chill and just love everyone,” said his friend, Jake Caliger, also 15.
Corona del Mar resident Owen MacKinnon said it was the best day of the year.
“It’s the real start of summer,” his mother, Helen MacKinnon said.
Lifeguard Assistant Chief Rob Williams attended the opening ceremony.
“It’s the best program in the United States,” he said.