OCEAN Program — What to Expect
Ocean safety and awareness is a necessity for kids growing up in our beach communities. Starting at age 7, our OCEAN Program teaches participants the skills they need to safely and confidently enter our oceans — in a relaxed, fun environment with small group sizes and low instructor-to-participant ratios. While the skills being learned are real lifeguard techniques, we remove the competition intensity that other programs focus on.
Do kids need to pass a swim test?
No swim test is required. As a general guideline, participants should be able to confidently swim past the breaking waves and return to shore. If a coach determines after the first day that a participant isn't quite ready, you'll be able to transfer to another BeachSports program or receive a prorated refund.
Daily schedule
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Ocean instruction
- How to identify and escape rip tides and currents
- How to safely enter and exit the water
- Navigating through breaking waves
- Paddling and ocean swimming
- Lifeguard fitness games and drills
- Ecology lessons on human impact on the ocean environment
- Meet the Lifeguards
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Beach activities
- Boogie boarding and bodysurfing
- Age-appropriate and inclusive beach games
Safety
- Coach ratio: 1:6 (not including CITs or Directors)
- Certified staff: All coaches are CPR and First Aid certified, experienced watermen and waterwomen.
- Lifeguard proximity: All locations are set up next to a staffed LA County Lifeguard station. Coaches and Lifeguards communicate daily about ocean conditions, and coaches always defer to Lifeguards on safety matters.
- Rashguards: Every participant receives a brightly colored SPF rashguard so they're easily identified by coaches and Lifeguards on the beach and in the water.
- Sunscreen: Reapplication breaks are scheduled multiple times throughout the day. Shade tents are provided on the beach for kids to take a break from sun exposure.
Locations
The OCEAN Program is available at all three BeachSports locations. Click your preferred location to learn more and register: