MARINA DEL REY
RUSSELL WALKER
W.A.T.E.R. YOUTH PROGRAM
RUSSELL WALKER W.A.T.E.R. YOUTH PROGRAM
The Russell Walker W.A.T.E.R. Youth Program provides Los Angeles County youth ages 5 – 21 with recreational and educational opportunities on the coast with an emphasis on ocean safety. Participants include those with mobility challenges and special needs, as well as youth from underserved communities or system-involved. Skilled L.A. County lifeguards provide instruction through two programs:
To learn more about the W.A.T.E.R. program:
Complete our W.A.T.E.R. Youth Program Interest Form to stay informed about our future offerings!
YOUTH SAILING CAMP
BEGINNING & INTERMEDIATE SAILING
Los Angeles County Lifeguards will instruct sailing courses teaching students sailing knowledge and terms, boat maintenance and rigging, knot tying, tacking, docking and instruction to ocean sailing.
Students will learn to sail on 14-foot Capri sailboats (with main sail and jib) and Laser sailboats.
In the final days of the session, students will get experience on Catalina 275 Sport.
Applicants in the intermediate sailing class must have completed at least one beginning sailing class.
ADVANCED SAILING
Applicants must have completed at least one session of the intermediate sailing class and have the recommendation of the instructor (or equivalent).
The Advanced sailing class will involve a one day review and evaluation of beginning skills, followed with extensive ocean sailing on our Laser sailboats.
PROGRAM DETAILS
2026-27 Winter Dates & Class Levels:
Beginning/Intermediate Combined:
- Monday, December 21 – Thursday, December 24 (4-day session) *No Class December 25 in Observance of County Holiday
- Monday, December 28 – Thursday, December 31 (4-day session) *No Class January 1 in Observance of County Holiday
- Monday, January 4, 2027 – Friday, January 8, 2027 (5-day session)
Session Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Ages: 11 – 17
Requirement: Each applicant must successfully complete a 100-yard swim test in 2:20 minutes or less.
MEETING LOCATION
Boathouse at Burton Chace Park
13640 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
PROGRAM COST
$300 per participant for 4-day sessions and $375 per participant for 5-day sessions. Fee includes instruction, use of all equipment, and a program T-shirt. Financial aid is available for qualifying families.
CONTACT INFORMATION
(424) 526-7897
water@bh.lacounty.gov
DOWNLOAD FLYER & APPLICATION
OCEAN SAFETY DAY
An Ocean Safety Day is a one-day ocean education adventure for school classes. L.A. County Lifeguards introduce students to many aspects of ocean safety through in-the-water participation.
Curriculum may include a CPR and first-aid demonstration, lessons about rip currents, kayaking, surfing/paddling, boogie boarding, and beach games in Marina del Rey and on Los Angeles County beaches, as well as information about career opportunities as an L.A. County Lifeguard.
W.A.T.E.R. Program History
The Department’s Russell Walker W.A.T.E.R. Program is named after the late Assistant Chief Lifeguard who established the program in 1986 as a way to encourage youth from diverse backgrounds to pursue ocean related careers, as he himself did in 1965 when he became LA County’s first Black lifeguard. The program has grown considerably since then, serving up to 6,000 youth per year from diverse, underserved, or special needs populations by teaching ocean safety skills through activities like kayaking, ocean/marina paddling, and sailing. Learn more about Assistant Chief Walker.