"WAVE” Program to Benefit from KLA 2nd Wave

LIHU`E, HI – The Kaua`i Lifeguard Association (KLA) has settled upon 11 non-profit organizations/programs on Kaua`i that focus on ocean safety, training, and education. This is the first of 11 articles on the newly formed “KLA Ohana” -- groups that will benefit from the 2012 Second Wave “Help Save Lives” campaign. This article is on the “WAVE” Program.

If you love the water, Kaua`i is one of the most stunning, exotic, and pristine spots in the world to enjoy it -- whether snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, kiting, or just simply swimming, it’s truly a water wonderland. It can also be deadly if you don’t know what you’re doing. And unfortunately most of us don’t.

Whether you’re a resident here or a visitor, everyone needs to learn the basics of water safety in order to avert tragedy - at least that’s what longtime Kaua`i resident and aquatic expert Pat Durkin thinks. And Durkin should know -- over time he’s been a Kaua`i lifeguard, owner of a swim school, tour boat operator, aquatic forensic investigator, and leader of the Jr. Lifeguard program since first coming to Kaua`i in 1978 with his wife Janet.

Durkin in the middle of his“office equipment” on the North Shore of Kaua`i

Even one life lost is one too many for Durkin. “Education is a proactive approach to drowning prevention,” he said. “I think of all the lives - all the families that are forever affected by their loved one drowning -- I think of how preventable it might have been, and I’m motivated.”

KLA 2ND Wave Ocean Safety Campaign Begins

The KLA 2nd WAVE campaign will continue thru early October. One phase of the campaign is interviews and articles  in The Garden Island Newspaper with “KLA OHANA” groups that reinforce ocean safety in the community.  The initial feature is Pat Durkin’s Wave Project (Water Awareness Visitor Education) which highlights educating factors for our visitors.   A total of eleven different feature stories about organizations and safety efforts around Kauai  will be highlighted in The Garden Island, on Wala Au television with Dickie Chang, as well as with the KONG Radio Group. “The goal is to continually diminish the number of needed rescues and drowning around our island while keeping our rescue facilities in top shape,” remarked Fire Chief Bob Westerman.

Kauai's Beaches On iPhone

For Kauai's residents and visitors it's really useful to know the what a beach's weather will be like and what the surf conditions are. And, especially for the visitor, a map to the beach, parking info, available activities and facilities are a handy tool to carry in your pocket or beach bag. Well there's an app for that!

The Kauai Beach Guide, developed with contributions by the Kauai Lifeguard Association, is the app that is fast becoming the essential Kauai beach-goers companion. 

In addition to information about specific beaches, the app features vital water safety information, camping options and child-friend areas, going green, and a cute overview of marine life.

The Kauai Beach Guide app is only 99 cents and is available from the iTunes Store or directly from your iPhone or iPad.