Happy Mother's Day !

"County Recurrent" News wishes all Mom's a Most Excellent and Happy Mother's Day!



10-4, copy!

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Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

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Parts 5 & 6: History of Junior Lifeguarding, by Bob Burnside

Part 5 New Zealand
Where and when did it start?

“Junior/Nipper Program”

Youth Training Program was formed in the 1940,s at Canterbury, North Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, South Island, New Zealand. This was a basic course which train younger men to prepare for summer volunteer work with the surf club. In the 1960's, at South Brighton and Mount Mauganui Surf Clubs, the first “Nipper” program was established.

New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Association’s National Body then established a true National Program for all Clubs to embrace in 1981. It was derived from a lifeguard manual that John Thomas wrote on his return from the first lifeguard exchange program between California and the Auckland Surf Life Saving Association. This program was initially developed by Peter Fitzsimmons and was known as the Metropolitan Life Assurance Youth Training Scheme. Mr. Jim Campbell, was appointed to coordinate and promote the project. By 1985, New Zealand had over 2000 Nippers. Competition for these youngsters, was not allowed until they reached the age of 14 years, thus ensuring that basic skills in water safety would be the main focal point.

The history of the New Zealand programs, have been published by Ivan Jackson, author, in his book, “The Sand Between My Toes.” New Zealand’s Nipper program continues to grow rapidly with each passing year and has, like so many others, joined the community even closer to the Surf Lifesaving Movement and awareness of water safety.


Part 6 MEXICO
Where and when did it all begin?

Junior Salvavidas de Mexico

The first Mexican Junior Lifeguard Program, originated in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico at Puerto Escondido Playa. The United States Lifesaving Association’s, Club Tortuga, engaged in water safety development throughout Mexico. So, in 1996, the Club Tortugas established with the newly formed Salvavidas the first basic junior lifeguard program in Mexico. It was an every other day program run exclusively by the Salvavidas, and was warmly applauded by the community and became a major force in recognizing all the many things lifeguards had to offer the community they served. Thus, in 2001, the Oaxacan Governor's wife, Senora Guadalupe Murat, mandated an expansion of the Junior Lifeguard programs to the professional level and established funding for it and the entire lifeguard corps… This was a major step forward for Mexico, as it now became the first Government subsidized lifeguard operation… that encompassed training juniors lifeguards also.


The idea of a Junior Lifeguard Program in Tijuana started in 2007, following the Oaxacan program; some Tijuana Lifeguards participated in the JG Programs of several Southern California lifeguard services (Imperial Beach, Silver Strand and Coronado). The 2008 Tijuana JG Program exceeded their expectations and in 2009 they are ready to accept up to 60 participants from 9 to 16 years of age. The program is a safe and fun way to teach the participants swimming, lifeguarding and first aid skills along with information on how to respect the beach and the ocean environment. Hopefully some of the participants will become lifeguards in the future.

Participants must swim 100 meters, float 5 minutes and swim 9 meters underwater.

*Added note: Mexico becomes the first Nation to establish Handicapped Junior Lifeguard Program. In 1995 ,Joaquine Venado, The Club Tortugas/USLA, Oaxacan Liaison to that group’s outreach programs, accepted the position to develop a new programs in the region. During this period with the help of Ana Johansen, the director of the Pina Palmera Disabled Children’s Hospital in Zipolite, he developed the world's first disabled Junior Lifeguard Program with Pina Palmera Children's Hospital, and established the first Mexican Lifeguard Championship at Zipolite Beach. During the Category 5 Hurricane Pauline, in 1997, which devastated the coastal areas of Oaxaca, these young Salvavidas that had finished this initial course, saved 20 children that could not walk or who were too young to escape from certain death. They received a States commendation for their heroic efforts. The Club Tortugas continues to support the concept, for all nations to establish a Handicapped Program, in conjunction with their regular Junior Lifeguard Programs.


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Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

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JD Moryl Issues Formal Response!

JD Moryl has issued a reply to our blog post regarding his previous demand for a retraction.

CORRECTION: First, however, we did misquote JD's current weight, which is 165 pounds (not 150 pounds); and his previous weight was 175 pounds.

To read JD's response, please see the published "COMMENT" at the end of the recent blog post on this subject at:

http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/2011/05/retired-section-chief-jon-moryl-demands.html

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Until next time.....


Will Maguire, Editor
"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

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Rip Current Awareness Week: June 5 - 11, 2011

("Massive Rip" Photo by Will Maguire. Will Rogers Tower #8, Fall 2010.)

Heads up!

RIP CURRENT AWARENESS WEEK (RCAW): June 5 - 11, 2011. The First Full Week of June Every Year!

I. This is an event sponsored by NOAA (National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration)

http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/week.shtml

II. This event has also been added to the USLA Calendar.

http://www.usla.org/events/event_details.asp?id=159993

III. "County Recurrent" News is also supporting this effort!

In this regard, we would like to refer our readers to two of our past blog posts featuring rip currents or riptides, as follows:

(a) From: Monday, October 20, 2008

Anatomy of a Rip Current; Part I: Inshore Holes Exposed !

http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/search?q=anatomy+of+a+rip+tide

and

(b) From: Tuesday, May 5, 2009

When This Rip Struck a Rescue was only a light Schwich away...

http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/2009/05/when-this-rip-struck-rescue-was-only.html

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p.s. some additional shots of some rips along Santa Monica South between Towers # 22 - 24... just for the fun of it and to keep all you Recurrents sharp!... and in case any permanents are reading this blog post, here are some photos to remind you all what rips look like... woo hoo! JUST KIDDING!!!






Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

("Seven Towers" Photo by & Copyright Will Maguire 2011. All Rights Reserved.)

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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Retired Section Chief Jon Moryl Demands "County Recurrent" Retraction!

Backstory:

Turn back the clock to:

Sunday, August 31, 2008


(Photo above shows then actively employed LACo Section Chief, JD Moryl, on duty on his last day at Central Section HQ, August 2008. Photo by Will Maguire.)

J.D. Moryl's Last Day !

http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/2008/08/jd-moryls-last-day.html

Our exact words to JD in our Aug. 31st, 2008 blog post were:

"Finally, for the man who declared he would never swim a lap again upon retirement, I look forward to seeing your increasing waist line !"

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Retraction Demand: At the recent retirement party for Assnt. Chief Phil Topar, JD demanded a retraction of the "County Recurrent" statement several years ago at the time of JD's impending retirement that JD would likely gain innumerable pounds and put on alot of weight given JD's pronouncement face to face with the Editor of "County Recurrent" News that, "Once I retire I will never swim again!" Having heard this remarkable statement firsthand, the editor of this blog conjectured, most reasonably, that JD would gain weight.

Jump forward to April 2011, JD is happily retired and continues to swim regularly. In fact, he is at his high school weight of 150 pounds, which is some 15 pounds less than JD was at the time of his retirement (see photo below).

(Photo above shows JD Moryl, at right, with Section Chief, Garth Canning, at the recent April 2011 Retirement Party for Assnt. Chief Phil Topar. Photo by Will Maguire.)


So we ask our readers..... Given JD's absolute and unqualified declaration that he would never swim again, should "County Recurrent" News issue a retraction for its reasoned speculation that JD would gain weight post-retirement?

And the decision of the editorial board of "County Recurrent" News is:.......

Retraction Denied!

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In any case, we do congratulate JD on his post-retirement fitness and his successful transition to retirement where he is very happily busy with family activities, in addition to his multiple music endeavors. An accomplished musician, JD is active in several bands and a reliable anonymous source tells us he also leads the choir at his local church. Bravo, JD! We commend you for your active participation in life post-retirement, but your retraction gets the County Recurrent boot. Woo Hoo! :-)

10-4

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Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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JG History, Parts 3 & 4, by Bob Burnside

(Photo above shows City of Huntington Beach JG's gathered on wet sand just south of Pier, July 2010. Photo by Will Maguire. Used here with permission.)

The Origin and History of the Junior Lifeguard Programs Nationally and Internationally, by Bob Burnside; Parts 3 & 4:

Part 3
South Africa
Where and when did it all begin?

In 1969 the first nipper squad was formed at Pirates Surf Lifesaving Club and was also the start of the first Basic Nipper Course, designed to teach young boys and girls the fundamental principles of surf safety. The first Basic Course for the Nippers attracted a total of 200 youngsters, eager to learn.

On completion of the course, the Nippers were examined and successful candidates received a certificate and a badge. This entitled them to enter the Intermediate and Advanced courses. After successfully completing all three courses, at age 15 they are then able to train to become Junior Lifesavers and can begin doing patrol duty on beaches.

Lifesaving South Africa’s Nipper movement was founded in 1972. Surf Nippers now boasts a membership of over 1200. Stillwater Nippers started in 1994 and has over 500 members. The Nipper activities have become one of the most successful child development and sporting programs within South Africa.

The important prerequisite to remember is that Clubs do not undertake to teach the "Nippers" basic swimming. On joining they are tested on their swimming ability and then encouraged to join swimming clubs in order to improve themselves. The Lifesaving Clubs’ main function is to teach the youngster respect for the water and give them confidence in the aquatic environment (especially the sea). No Nipper, however, is allowed to be part of the voluntary patrols, which do duty on our beaches.

By having the Nipper Sections in our movement, a greater parental interest has developed and parents are often involved in the fundraising and administrative duties of the clubs. The Nipper movement is completely voluntary and relies on public contributors to cover all expenses.


Part 4
Australia
Where and when did it all begin?
"Nippers’ in surf life saving"



In response to declining membership lists and deteriorating club life in the mid and late 1960’s, many clubs launched recruitment campaigns aimed at a new category of member, pre-adolescents known as ‘nippers’.

Clubs believed that nippers would graduate into active members and, with more sporting experience, improve their competitive profiles. Youth sections actually have a long history in the movement – Cottesloe recruited sub-juniors (juveniles) in the 1930’s and a number of clubs followed suit in the 1950’s – but the nipper program in the 1960’s was far more extensive and actively encouraged by senior SLSA officials.

These days’ junior activities continue to grow at such a rate that some clubs have even had to cap their numbers to be able to cope. The focus of nippers has changed over the last decade from what was a more competitive focus to more of a balance between lifesaving and competition.

Of SLSA’s almost 140,000 members, almost 50,000 are nippers (5-13 years). This is roughly 36% of our total membership and shows just how significant the junior movement is within Australian surf life saving. The nippers of today are the future of surf life saving, and this is not lost on the thousands of volunteer Age Managers that provide support and instruction in junior programs during the summer.


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Stay tuned for Parts 5 & 6...


Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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The History of Junior Lifeguarding, by Bob Burnside

"County Recurrent" is pleased to bring to our readership a new 8-part article by LACo Chief Lifeguard, Bob Burnside (Ret.), which we will be presenting 2 parts at a time.

This article is entitled:

The Origin and History of the Junior Lifeguard Programs Nationally and Internationally

"Recently, the Southwest Region California Surf Lifesaving Association of the United States Lifesaving Association approved an award, for the “Outstanding Junior Lifeguard” in California. It will be presented to that individual who has met the highest standards of the J.G. programs, as established by the CSLSA. The award will be annually presented to the Chapter from the CSLSA. and the individual honoree.

As I look back over the many years of water safety, the questions of… Where, Who and Why did this magnificent program arise? I recall my Chief “Rusty” Williams of the Los Angeles County Lifeguards, while touring Australia in 1956, as the U.S.A. representative to the Olympic Surf Carnival at Torquay Beach, Melbourne, Victoria, discussing with his Australian counterpart, Ken Watson, the Junior Lifeguard Program and its success in the U.S.A. After the International Championships, the subject was again discussed in detail with the Australian Association’s President, the Honorable Judge Adrian Curlews. Years later, Australia initiated their “Nipper” program, which will be addressed later in this article.

But who really had the “Idea” of such a great program? It has taken me a little while to trace the time frames and information from our national level, …and a lot of time gathering facts from the international brotherhood of lifesavers. As you can imagine, a lot of groups might wish to claim title to the concept and earliest startup. Additionally, little research has been done on this and many just assume, due to institutional pride and knowledge, that they were first. So just what are the facts from history that can be verified, at least at the moment?

So let's start down this path of the History of the "junior Lifeguards" origin.

In the USA alone, it is estimated that approximately 35,000 junior lifeguards are enrolled in beach programs nationally, each year. It has become so popular, that many lifeguard agencies have had to go to two separate sessions each summer to accommodate the demand. For the following countries it is estimated annually and growing the following figures:
In Australia………25,000 Nippers
In Canada….. 3000 Juniors
In Mexico……..300 Jr. Salvavidas
In New Zealand…15,000 Nippers
In Ceylon……900 juniors
In Great Britain….10,000 Junior/Nippers
In South Africa…..20,000 Juniors


The earliest document evidence of the start of the Junior Lifeguard program came out of Chicago, Illinois’s, U.S.A.

The United States of America
Where and when did it all begin?
Part 1

In the 1910s, Tom Daley’s City Lifeguard Service was operating on a shoestring budget, even as Chicago’s beaches and recreational swimming in general, became more popular. Soon there were not enough lifeguards to cover the activity. World War 1 and the great influenza epidemic, made the numbers crunch even more serious. Leaving the beaches uncovered or understaffed would lead to more accidents and deaths,..as the City of Chicago just didn’t have the funds to hire more lifeguards, nor train potential recruits.

In 1919, Daly came up with the solution to the problem: …Let’s establish a “Junior Lifeguard” corps to help patrol the beaches. …The first junior lifeguards were a loosely organized group of boys who would help watch a certain area of beach, both before and during the busy hours. They would alert the few lifeguards on duty when they spotted any problems. As a reward, for the service, the junior lifeguards where given trunks and T-shirts and had the opportunity to use all the lifeguard equipment for extra training. As the program grew, Superintendent Daly, organized junior lifeguard programs throughout Chicago’s beaches and pools, with moderate success.

In 1926, a senior year lifeguard named “Sam” Leone had 40 junior lifeguards at his Rogers Park Beach area, which was the busiest stretch of beach in Chicago. Sam realized that these youngsters needed more structure than just standing around and alerting the full time lifeguards...they needed a “program;” One that would train them and give them the opportunity for future employment. Thus, “Sam’s Boys” were born… and flourished under his vision for many decades, and eventually expanded to all of the beaches in Chicago. Early stories of his youngsters rescuing stranded vessels as they practiced rowing have become folklore. The following photo of “Sam” and his boys in a long boat was taken in the early 1920"s as seen below:


Much of the foregoing history has been obtained from the book “ Sam’s Boys,”, written and published, by Chris Serb, retired Chicago Lifeguard, about the history of Chicago’s lifesaving and the legendary lifeguard Sam Leone. Within this great book, the many stories of the early junior lifeguards of Chicago are documented with factual accounts and photographs of the earliest junior lifeguard program in the world. It is a very informative and fascinating book that should be of interest to all lifesavers.

Part 2
The United States of America
West Coast Origin
Where and when did it all begin?

In 1927 the Los Angeles City Beach Lifeguards established the first Junior Lifeguard program in California. The group was organized and trained by lifeguard, Bob Foster. Members of that first group included Ed Perry who later became a long time rescue boat skipper, and whose son also became a lifeguard. Another member was Lawrence McNulty, top left in the photo, whose son and grandson became lifeguards. The group trained at the original LA City Lifeguard Hqts. at Brooks Ave Beach, in Venice, within the city of Los Angeles coastal areas.

Attached is a photo of the first LA City Junior lifeguards, photo 1927, with Ed Perry far right.


The L.A. City’s Chief Lifeguard, Myron Cox, loved working with young people. Through his efforts, and perseverance, the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Dept. established the project as an annual youth program for the children of Los Angeles.

The 1st Junior Lifeguards on the West coast

1927, L.A. City Headquarters, Venice, California

In the South Bay Area, of Los Angeles County, the L.A County Lifeguards had begun staffing their Headquarters in Hermosa Beach as a year around 24/7 operation. The wartime needs for coastal observation and emergency response to the residence of the south Bay area now became the responsibility of the lifeguards. Lifeguard Jim Neves, having been at one time, also a professional wrestler with Chief Myron Cox, became familiar with the City’s junior lifeguard program.

Each morning Jim would go off duty a 7 a.m., as the day crew came on duty. He had noticed a group of the young locals kids playing early on the beach. He approached L.A. County’s Chief Williams with the idea of putting together an exercise and water skill program for the kids, similar to that which L.A. City Lifeguards had established. The Chief gave the go ahead, …and thus the second recorded beach junior lifeguard program on the West Coast had started at Hermosa Beach Pier…and later to be followed by other California agencies.

Today…. almost all California Beach Communities have a Junior Lifeguard Program deep in tradition. There is a California Regional Junior Lifeguard Competition hosted by the CSLSA every July where approximately 3,000 elite Junior Lifeguard competitors swim, run, flag and paddle for honors. Junior Lifeguard programs are represented in every Region of the USLA. Every summer in the first week of August there is a National Junior Lifeguard Competition hosted by the USLA where approximately 1,000 Junior Lifeguards compete for the national title.

The East Coast Origin of J.G. Programs, By John Daly

Long Beach, New York is a barrier beach off of Long Island, approximately 10 miles in length and 1/2 mile at its widest point. It is connected to the main part of Long Island by 3 bridges. The community is diversified and consists of about 40,000 residents full time. It is accessible by train from NYC, which is 45 minutes away.

In 1978 we toured the west coast beaches, after the USLA Nationals for the first time and viewed the Jr Lifeguard programs at Huntington and Newport Beaches. In 1983 we lived in Australia and observed their nipper program. It took a while as our beach structure was getting more professional and we realized we needed a Junior Lifeguard program to help continue a high quality of staffing of professional lifeguards in our town. Each time we were on the west coast for a competition we visited the Jr Lifeguard programs. We decided to start a program for the summer of 1988. We had a banner made by an art teacher from our school and invited several lifeguards, including Joe Hoffman,and his brother Ed ,my brother John Daly and my wife, Rosemary, All volunteers to help run the program. We had 12 boys between the ages of 10 and 12. Mostly the sons of friends who were lifeguards. We had one BZ surfboard donated by another lifeguard and we were in business.

The program grew the next year to 25 boys and girls and we added more volunteer instructors. We met on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10-12 . The program has increased in popularity in town as we are the only organization that actually teaches young boys and girls water safety and how to swim in the ocean along with lifeguarding skills. Today we have increased the program with almost 300 boys and girls and 25 instructors. Our core of lifeguards have come from this introductory program. We still only met two days a week, and have incorporated our knowledge from the beaches that we have visited. Since that time beaches in New Jersey and other parts of Long Island have started programs.

Tom Daly, USLA/Mid.Atlantic Region

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*** Stayed tuned as we continue to publish this remarkable historical record of the beginnings of the Junior Lifeguarding program written by Bob Burnside. Many Thanks to Bob for sharing this article with all of us!


Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

*** OPT - OUT *** Just hit reply and type in "Opt Out" in the subject line to be removed from this email list.

*** OPT IN *** Just send us an email and we will add you to the list.

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