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Date: June 22, 2009
Contact: Gail Bishop, 850-934-2618
Contact: Nina Kelson, 850-934-2604

GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE FIRST JUNIOR LIFEGUARD CLASS GRADUATES TODAY

Today a class of eight boys and three girls will graduate from the first Junior Lifeguard class of the season, and the first to be held at Opal Beach in five years. Opal Beach opened back to the public just last weekend with the partial completion of reconstructed facilities, destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The students have spent the past four days learning about water safety and developing skills in first aid and water rescue techniques from a cadre of the National Seashore’s professional lifeguards. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the reopening of this beach, than by seeing these young people graduate from a Junior Lifeguard class,” says Gulf Islands National Seashore Superintendent Jerry Eubanks. “The program combines education with recreation—this is what the National Seashore is all about.” This session is the first of three Junior Lifeguard classes that the National Seashore has scheduled for this summer at Opal Beach (on Santa Rosa Island) and at Johnson Beach (Perdido Key). The Park’s Water Safety Coordinator, John Hunter, is coordinating the program, which is in its tenth year. “I am very proud of this group of students,” says Hunter. “They have great attitudes, have learned a lot, and have had fun while doing it. When they get a bit older, I hope to see them back on the beach wearing red lifeguard uniform bathing suits.” - NPS-