Wall youth get chance to take part in Belmar's Junior Lifeguard program

Even though Wall Township may not have the ocean on its doorstep, township youth will have the opportunity to participate in one of the area's most popular events -- Belmar's Junior Lifeguarding program.

The Belmar and Wall recreation departments are teaming up this summer for a local Junior Lifeguards program, Wall Township Recreation Coordinator Ed Grill proudly stated.

Because of this cooperative effort made by Belmar Director of Recreation Mike Campbell and Mr. Grill, kids from Wall may now participate in a newly designed junior lifeguarding program which is now titled the Belmar/Wall Junior Lifeguards.

"Belmar's Junior Lifeguarding program is one of the best and most respected programs around," said Mr. Grill. "Wall Township Recreation is proud to be joining Belmar's Junior Lifeguarding program.

"We got together late last year to put the cooperative effort together, but were able to get it off the ground this year," said Mr. Grill of his meeting with Mr. Campbell.

The Wall coordinator said he and Mr. Campbell are "both very enthused about this event and looking forward to working together again." They have also worked together on the Shark River Roundtable Junior Scholarship Sailing Program.

Instruction in the lifeguarding program will be given in rescue techniques, training, first aid, paddling, kayaking and ocean swimming, according to Mr. Grill. Complementing the program are four Junior Lifeguard Tournaments that will test the lifeguards' ability to use their training learned in a competitive tournament competing against one another and also guards from other towns.

The program is open to boys and girls from Wall and Belmar ages 10 through 17. The hours are from 10 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday from June 29 to last week in July at the 6th Avenue beach in Belmar.

The cost is $65 person. There will be a one-time registration night scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at the Belmar Gym located at 601 Main St. from 6 to 8 p.m. Any questions may be directed to Belmar Recreation's Mr. Campbell at 732-681-3700 or Wall Recreation's Mr. Grill from at 732-449-8444 ext. 250.