Training's in season for Newport junior lifeguards

Photo Gallery: Junior lifeguards take to the beach

1/5

Sean McCarthy holds Cole McKibbin’s legs as they compete in a wheelbarrow exercise as the 2016 Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard season kicks off Tuesday at the Balboa Pier.

(Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

2/5

Instructor Josiah Vander Kooy discusses guidelines with junior guards during the first day of the 2016 Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard season Tuesday near the Balboa Pier.

(Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

3/5

Junior guards race a bucket of water up the beach as they compete in an exercise during the first day Junior Lifeguard season on Tuesday at the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach.

(Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

4/5

An instructor leads junior lifeguards along the sand as they begin their seven-week training program Tuesday in Newport Beach.

(Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

5/5

Junior guards race out of the water as they participate in exercises during opening day Tuesday of the 2016 Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard season at the Balboa Pier.

(Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

By Daily Pilot staff

June 28, 2016 2:31 PM PT

Hundreds of local children hit the sand and surf Tuesday at the Balboa Pier for the first day of Newport Beach’s 2016 Junior Lifeguard season.

The program was established in 1984 and started with two instructors and 50 junior lifeguards.

During the seven-week season, youths ages 9 to 15 learn about physical fitness and ocean and beach safety.

The program has expanded in popularity each year, and this summer, 1,346 students signed up.

Training’s in season for Newport junior lifeguards