The next generation of lifeguards in Santa Cruz

It’s the first day of competition for the little lifeguards in Santa Cruz, and they couldn’t be more excited.

The little guards is mostly comprised of 6-8 year olds. They are two weeks into a month long summer program. And with them still having this much energy after two weeks of training, it takes some special instructors to keep up. “It’s a lot of work dealing with them running around down here. They work me out. I don’t know, I’m getting in better shape,” says lifeguard surf instructor, Mr. Coffey.

Mr. Coffee started off in the little guards when he was six. Now he is an instructor. He said he started off playing all the same games
these kids did.

And while it might look like the little guard is just playing a bunch of gam, they are actually learning critical skills, which could save your life one day.

Collin Herrick, Junior Lifeguard Lieutenant, says, “They are getting up, they are finding their victim the tennis ball, they are negotiating the surf, the waves… they don’t know it, but they just did a lifeguard rescue.”

But it’s not just the kids who are having fun. Parents say they couldn’t be prouder of what the kids are learning.

Perry, a dad of a little lifeguard, says, “Confidence. Seeing her from two weeks ago to know is… she even notices it. Just walking taller, just charging.”

Collin Herrick, who also started off in the little guard… is reliving the experience through his own kids. “I love it! Absolutely… I have a six year old, and an eight year old in the program. And so I’m a parent and a lifeguard and an instructor. And so I kind of get to see it from all the perspectives and it’s just a really lucky position.” Herrick says 90% of the lifeguards in Santa Cruz started out in little and junior lifeguards.