Youth lifeguard tryouts result in joining program

BY Dawn Rankins

The CLEAR Foundation, in partnership with the California State Parks, held its second junior lifeguard tryouts at Sunset Beach last week with swimmers qualifying for the Junior Lifeguard Program at Lake Perris this summer.

Unlike the first tryout, the weather and water were much warmer, which had the participants grateful.

“The turnout was excellent,” CLEAR’s Kasey Castillo said. “Community members and firefighters from the Canyon Lake Fire Department were on hand to cheer on those trying out.”

Of the 65 youth who signed up to participate in this summer’s Junior Lifeguard program at Lake Perris, at least 40 are from Canyon Lake, according to Jon Hernandez, Junior Lifeguard Coordinator for the California State Parks.

There will be two sessions this summer, with each session being two-weeks long. The first session will be from June 20 until July 1. The second session will begin July 11 and finish July 22.

Bus transportation provided by ARPA funding from the City of Canyon Lake will pick up Canyon Lake junior lifeguards at 8:00 a.m. and bring them back after the daily sessions which end at 3:00 p.m.

The program is $260.00 per junior lifeguard with a $20.00 discount for siblings. Anyone who needs financial assistance to participate is encouraged to reach out to The CLEAR Foundation at CLEARfoundationCL@gmail.com.

The goal of The CLEAR Foundation (Canyon Lake Enrichment Activities and Recreation) is to bring similar programs to Canyon Lake next summer and to provide outdoor summer opportunities to CL youth.