Teen lifeguards finally past test

Lindsay Sandham

Twenty-five Newport-Mesa teens wrapped up the required 109-hour

training Sunday by performing a variety of physical and practical

tests.

Newport Beach Lifeguard Capt. Jim Turner said, along with the

physical tests, trainees were surprised with different scenarios and

evaluated on their reactions in various situations.

Trainees are graded on a 1,000-point system, of which they must

score at least 700 in order to be hired as a Newport Beach lifeguard.

The official numbers weren’t in at press time.

“Probably about 15 will get schedules and we may hire five to 10

more as reserves,” Turner said. “It’s possible the entire class could

get picked up for the summer. Everyone who reaches the 700-point

threshold has an opportunity to get hired.”

New-hire lifeguards start out in the Corona del Mar division

working with Lt. Mitch White, Turner said. White spends a lot of time

helping them acclimate to the new job and environment.

White, who oversaw most of the training, said there is a good

possibility all 25 candidates will graduate from training.

“We were very impressed with the class,” said Newport Beach

Lifeguard Capt. Reenie Boyer, who is also in charge of training.

Once the numbers come in and they know who scored 700 or higher,

the remaining trainees will spend two days shadowing a senior

lifeguard so they can get on-the-job training before handling any

solo assignments, Boyer said.

The trainees who tested Sunday were the top performers from the

Newport Beach lifeguard tryouts in March. They were also required to

complete an interview before they were accepted into training.

“We’re looking for not only good swimmers, also people with a good

background and good character,” Boyer said.