Jr Lifeguards clean beach

June 11, 2012 Pat Dowling, City Spokesman, released this information. Some of the 44 young people who are part of the North Myrtle Beach A few of the Junior Lifeguard volunteer clean up crewPublic Safety Department’s Junior Lifeguard program showed up at 8:00 a.m. on June 9 at the 7th Avenue South beach access to help collect litter on the beach. The group traveled north along the beach collecting everything from cigarette butts to forgotten toys, and the occasional diversionary crab.

The City’s Junior Lifeguard program began in February 2012. Thus far, the 44 young people enrolled in the program have received classroom and pool training, and have become familiar with the rescue equipment used by ocean lifeguards. This summer, the Junior Lifeguards have the option of training on the beach with the ocean lifeguards and shadowing them during their work day. This includes sitting on the stands with the guards, and helping with minor details.

Each year, the City must advertise in many states to attract upwards of 100 qualified ocean lifeguards. This is a time consuming process. The new Junior Life program seeks to “grow” local ocean lifeguards. The benefits will be lifeguards who are trained to City specifications, and the provision of summer jobs to area residents.

We thank the Junior Lifeguards who volunteered to help clean the beach last Saturday…and we also thank their parents, who arose early to get them to the beach!