State junior lifeguard tryouts attract dozens

BY Dawn Rankins

About 35 youth junior lifeguard hopefuls showed up Sunday at Sunset Beach to try out for the state lifeguard program. It was a cool and cloudy morning and the lake was a bit chilly, however, the 8- to 15-year-old swimmers eagerly jumped into the water when it was their turn to test.

The C.L.E.A.R. Foundation and the California State Parks hosted the event. The Canyon Lake Fire Department also came out to show its support for the program.

The tryouts were open to kids ages 8-15 and each participant swam 100 yards in the designated swim area, then tread water for two minutes. Their scores were then recorded by the lifeguard conducting the tryouts.

Eligible participants will receive an email from the California State Parks with a link to sign up for the two-week junior lifeguard program at Lake Perris this summer.

A participant at the Junior Lifeguard Tryouts at Sunset Beach Sunday is monitored and tested by the lifeguard from the State of California Parks. Successful applicants will be invited to a Junior Lifeguard paid job in Lake Perris this summer.

Kids accepted into the program will be bussed over to Lake Perris, courtesy of the City of Canyon Lake and ARPA funding.

Bradley Morton, CLEAR Foundation president, said the great turnout of 30-35 kids in cloudy weather just reinforces the need for the program like this in Canyon Lake.

“Our board of directors is beyond thrilled with the interest and we can’t wait for the next tryout date,” he said. “For those who missed the first tryouts last weekend, you have another chance as tryouts will be held again on May 22 at Sunset Beach.”

The C.L.E.A.R. Foundation is working hard to ensure that no Canyon Lake child who wishes to try out can participate, Bradley said.

“The Foundation doesn’t want any child to not participate and attend due to the $260.00 camp cost,” he said. “If you are interested in receiving funding assistance, or if you are interested in becoming a donor so a Canyon Lake child can attend the junior lifeguard program, please contact the foundation at CLEARfoundationCL@gmail.com.”