Dozens of Ventura County Junior Lifeguard Program participants took a quick break from physical activity today and lent a hand in painting a community mural at Silver Strand Beach.

Armed with gallons of blue, brown, orange, yellow and black paint, the junior lifeguards helped paint a mural with their handprints that includes the Channel Islands, waves, and the ocean.

 

The mural is located at the south end of Silver Strand Beach, an area known for its community murals. Thousands of beach visitors come by each year to view the murals.

“This whole line of murals is really representative of our beach and the kids are stoked to literally have a hand in adding to public art that everyone is going to see,” said Michael LaSueur, head instructor for the junior lifeguard program. “They can point to it and say that is what we did in the junior lifeguard program together.”

LaSueur said another mural will be added to the wall during the lifeguard program’s second session, which starts July 15, 2019. The second session is full and is not taking applications.

About the Junior Lifeguard Program

The Junior Lifeguard Program, sponsored by the Ventura County Harbor Department, offers youth 8 to 15 years of age the opportunity to receive instruction in lifeguard rescue techniques, emergency medical first-aid, ocean sports activity, physical conditioning, marine ecology, and public service.

Editor’s Note: this story was published on July 9, 2019.