Junior Guards Programs throughout San Diego

San Diego County junior lifeguard programs are not “learn to swim” programs. Therefore, participants are given a tryout test to determine if they have the minimum skills needed to benefit from the program. Most programs will encourage parents to work with their child(ren) on swimming skills before the beginning of the program to ensure that their child(ren) can pass the test with confidence.

Below is a list of different programs and locations. Click on any program to get more information.

·         San Diego Junior Guards

·         Carlsbad State Junior Lifeguards 

·         Del Mar Junior Guards

·         Encinitas Junior Lifeguards 

·         Silver Strand State Junior Lifeguards

·         Solana Beach Junior Lifeguards

·         Torrey Pines State Beach Junior Lifeguards 

Get ready for any Junior Guards program!  Contact YardSwim to schedule your Junior Guards prep lessons.  www.yardswim.com

Breath Control

Breath control is a swimmer’s ability to control their breathing during swimming.  Good breath control allows a swimmer to stay under the water longer and use their breath more efficiently while swimming.  It may take time for a new swimmer to get used to being in the water, as water is much heavier than air.  Many new swimmers find that it takes more effort to breath when the water level is at or above the swimmer's chest.  Exercises to improve breath control include simple exercises such as blowing bubbles with your face in the water and bobbing underwater.  More advanced exercises to improve breath control include flip turns and distance swimming. Swimmers of all skill levels can improve their swim technique by improving breath control.

Please Note:  You should not hold your breath until you’re in pain or feel light-headed.  Always perform the exercises detailed below in the presence of a lifeguard or aquatic professional.

Exercises To Improve Breath Control

Bobbing for Breath Control

1. Start with your chest at the water line.
2. Inhale taking a comfortable breath in.
3. Drop under the water.  Completely submerge the body and head.
4. Return to a standing position without stopping under water.  The motion should be smooth and slow.  Make sure to exhale when returning to the standing position (this will prevent water from going in your nose and mouth).
5. Repeat these steps slowly and in a rhythmic pattern.
6. Practice this 10 to 20 times each time you swim!

Bobbing is a great way for a new swimmer to get more comfortable holding their breath underwater.  One tip that seems to help is to remember to exhale for the same amount of time that you inhale. 

3/5/7/9

This exercise involves swimming front crawl for a distance of 100 meters or more. 

1.  For the first 25 meters breathe every 3 arms.

2.  For second 25 meters breathe every 5 arms.

3.  For the third 25 meters breathe every 7 arms.

4.  For the last 25 meters breathe every 9 arms. 

Most swimmers will have some trouble with the last 25 meters so, don't be discouraged if you struggle a bit the first time.  Keep practicing and you’ll get it!!  This drill can also be enhanced by lengthening the distance.  Ex/ Instead of swimming only 100 meters, you can do a 200 meter swim changing the breathing rate every 50 meters instead of every 25 meters.

Flip Turns

 A flip turn is a way to turn when doing either the front crawl or backstroke.   

1.  Swim front crawl towards the wall.

2.  Curl your legs in and begin to tuck into a somersault.

3.  To somersault, bring your arms up shoulder width apart with your palms facing toward you.  Push them up and behind you as if you’re tucking and pushing the water behind you.  The flip turn somersault is also sometimes explained as  “throwing water.”  The swimmer “throws water” over their shoulders to complete the somersault.

4.  Finally, place feet on the wall while in the upside down or in sideways position.

5.  Push away from the wall in a streamline glide (hands together, feet together, head down straight like an arrow gliding).  Be carefull not to push down towards the floor of the pool.  Take it slow the first couple of times.

6.   As you streamline glide away from the wall rotate body position into the crawl stroke (prone position) or the backstroke (supine position).

7.  Continue on with preferred stroke.

Most swimmers will have some trouble with the mechanics of this turn the first few times so, don't be discouraged if you can't do it immediately.  Keep practicing and you’ll get it!!

Distance Swimming

Swimming for a long time continuously can help to develop superior breath control.  Long distance swims (1,000 meters to 1,600 meters or about 1 mile) with proper technique can give a swimmer the time and distance to practice and improve their side breathing techniques with more ease and quickness.  As the swimmer tires during the swim, their breathing will become more labored and will force the swimmer to focus heavily on improving their breath control.

For more information please contact YardSwim at www.yardswim.com.  Happy Swimming!!