Blue Reef Sharks & Blue Reef Rays
The Blue Reef Beach Captain program has been running weekly since 2020 and is available for Rays (7-9 years old), and Sharks (10-12 years old). These all-day ocean programs are still our most popular programs today.
For kids 12 and up who have excelled in their program, we now have a Junior Instructor program where kids can continue to develop their aquatic abilities and leadership skills within the Beach Captain program.
The BRO program introduces students to a variety of ocean sports, with a foundation in ocean safety and building strong swimming skills. We offer a 10 level program in each of our main ocean activities; Surfing, Snorkeling & Free Diving, Paddling, and Fishing.
It all begins in the classroom, where students learn the BRO Ocean Safety program; a systematic approach to assessing ocean conditions, and planning water activities for maximum fun and safety.
With their classroom lessons complete, students then build an understanding of themselves and their abilities through a 14-level swim program and a series of ever challenging water activities.
Beyond the challenging BRO curriculum, students are expected to make waves on their own through volunteer efforts that we work to coordinate such as attending beach cleans, volunteer beach patrols with the local lifeguards, and working with various local conservation groups.
Blue Reef Day Camps
During school breaks we offer week-long camps that give students a comprehensive introduction to the complete Blue Reef program. The camps run Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 3:00pm and are designed to introduce students to the key components of our Ocean Skills Program.
Drop off and pick up for Blue Reef Day Camps (unless otherwise notified) is at 800am and 1500pm at Kadena Marina here;
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8hnUNvF1UT7ftaQf9
Day 1 of camp is typically an orientation to the program so that students can meet instructors, other campers, and gain an understanding of what will be expected to take place during the week. We begin with Ocean Safety in the classroom where students learn risk management for the ocean environment.
We will complete swim skills assessments on the first day, familiarize ourselves with our equipment, and warm up with either a snorkeling session or team paddling.
Days 2, 3, and 4 are very busy as the children are challenging themselves with brand new activities which might be a first for many of the kids. During these days we will swim, surf, snorkel/free dive, and paddle.
On the last day of camp we like to reward students for a week of hard work with the presentation of our program certificates, a BBQ and party, jet-ski activities, and fun games in the water before saying goodbye.
Junior Lifeguard Program
Our Junior Lifeguard program was launched in the summer of 2024 as a week-long day camp, and has now become one of our most popular weekly program – running every Saturday for kids 12 and up who are strong swimmers with an interest in lifesaving or becoming lifeguards.
The program will enhance kids’ fitness through running, swimming, and paddling, and will introduce a variety of emergency response and water rescue techniques through a customized program which begins with completing Red Cross Lifeguarding pre-requisites.
The instructor, Jason MacDonald, is a Red Cross Lifeguarding instructor, a PADI Publice Safety Diver, AIDA certified free diver, and an instructor of Rescue Watercraft certified by the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association. The program is a blended learning approach based on his experience with a wide range of water rescue training and certification.
A portion of each program day is devoted to fitness and to various water rescue training, as well as giving students an opportunity to participate in higher level ocean sports as an extension of their activities in the Beach Captain program.
Junior Lifeguards will surf, paddle, free dive, and spearfish in more challenging conditions and continue to build their skills as all-around watermen/women.
Swim School
Our Zero to 100 Swim Program meets kids at their level and gives them the tools to be safe in the water and successful in the activities they’re most interested in.
All ocean sports require strong swim fundamentals, and strong swim skills begin with feeling at home and comfortable in the water. Through repetition of the water safety pledge, we work to instill in children the important habit of asking for permission before entering the water.
With parent’s permission, the kids meet their instructors pool side and warm up with play in order to maintain a positive relationship with water.
Early levels focus on breathing, floating, and spending time underwater.
Once students have shown a proficiency in floating and can perform the lifesaving backstroke, the middle levels focus on learning the building blocks of their freestyle and breast strokes.
As students approach the higher levels, lessons are spent building stamina and endurance, and on making micro-improvements to their technique.
The goal of the BRO Swim Program is that students can perform a graceful freestyle and breast stroke for 100 meters without rest.
