Aspiring lifeguards hit the sand and surf in Huntington Beach

Competitors in the Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts return from the swim on the third leg of the tryout, a run-swim-run, near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Rodolfo Nieto right, high fives lifeguard Tyler Bernardin, before Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Onlookers watch as a competitor in the Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts returns from the swim on the third leg of the tryout, a run-swim-run, near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Competitors in the Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts swim as a lifeguard looks on near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Competitors in the Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts head out for their second swim near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)A competitor comes in from the first of three swims during Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Duranne Munguall takes a picture of Dakota Mungall, Daniel Mungall, River Mungall, and Gregg Mungall before Dakota competed during Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. “We’re a surfing family,” said Duranne, “I’m just so excited” (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts were held near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Ben Seaberry, right, waits for the start of Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Ben Seaberry takes off with the pack at the start of the Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)A swimmer looks back over his shoulder as he crests a wave during Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Onlookers watch the start of the Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Nathan Fernandez of Huntington Beach cheers for competitors during Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Amy Peterson of Huntington Beach finishes up the during Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts with support form Burgard Michael, also of Huntington Beach, as they run near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Competitors in the Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts head out for their second swim near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Competitors in the Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts cross the sand after their second swim near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Competitors in the Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts run through the Western Surf Association competition on the third leg of the tryout, a run-swim-run, near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)A competitor in the Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts turns the corner to head for the water on the third leg of the tryout, a run-swim-run, near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Competitors in the Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts enter the water on the third leg of the tryout, a run-swim-run, near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Huntington Beach Marine Safety Chaplain Bill Richardson high-fives competitors during Huntington Beach Lifeguard tryouts near the pier on Saturday morning, February 17, 2018 in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Photo by Josh Barber, Contributing Photographer)Show Caption of Expand
Aspiring lifeguards hit the chilly water off Huntington Beach on Saturday, Feb. 17, competing in a series of sprints and swims to try and nab a summer job on the sand.
More than 50 people showed up for the tryouts in Surf  City, the first of many to happen along the Southern California coastline in upcoming weeks.
San Clemente holds its tryouts on Feb. 24 and Huntington State Beach and Laguna Beach on Feb. 25.  Long Beach and Newport Beach tryouts are scheduled for early March and others follow through April.
Most departments have a series of runs and swims, and combination run-swim-run events. Then, applicants have to do an oral interview. After weeks of training, it will be determined whether the person can take the stress of the job.
A total of 45 people finished the physical portion of the test in Huntington Beach, and 40 applicants will move on to the oral testing Sunday. The department will hire 30 seasonal guards.
One person dropped out of the first swim, while another had to be treated for hypothermia, with water in the 57-degree range. The ocean was calm with high tide and 2-to 3-foot waves.
“It was like summertime for weather,” said Huntington Beach Marine Safety Lt. Claude Panis. “It wasn’t huge swell, but there was enough for people who are ocean-oriented to take advantage of conditions. It would have been nice to have a little more swell.”
 
 
Source: Oc Register