|
JUNIOR LIFEGUARD PROGRAM A GROWING SUCCESS
 | | --Photo Courtesy Of Brick Recreation Department Brick's Junior Lifeguard program has been a rousing success. |
|
BRICK - The Brick Township Recreation Department's second season of offering a Junior Lifeguard program has seen it more than triple in size and has expanded the parameters to include children up to age 15.
"Last year we had 20 children ages 10 to 13 participate in the one week program," said Andrea Zapcic, Superintendent of Recreation. "This year we had a total of 63 children ages 10 to 15 participate."
In order to meet the demand, the program took place over a two week period with ages 10 to 13 and ages 14 to 15 participating on alternating days. The five-day course is designed to provide students with a sound aquatic background and the skills needed to one day become an ocean lifeguard. Students undergo professional surf training and daily team relays involving surfboard paddling, swimming, running and beach flags. Additionally, students are instructed in the basics of first aid and CPR, although no certification is given.
"Eighteen of our ocean guards volunteered their time to teach these children what it takes to be a lifeguard at Brick beaches," said Beach Captain Donovan Brown. "Without their support, we would not be able to offer a program like this."
Superintendent of Recreation Andrea Zapcic credits Brown and co-Captain Dan Santaniello (who is also a full-time yearround employee in the recreation department) for developing and growing the program.
"We're thrilled that this program, which is not only fun for the children but a learning experience too, has been so well received," Zapcic said. "Ultimately we hope to cultivate an ongoing group of young people, trained to our standards, who aspire to be Brick ocean beach lifeguards."
Registrations for next year's program will begin in late
May of 2008. For more information, contact the Brick Recreation office at
732-262-1044.
| 
)