Local leaders involved in aquatic safety are encouraging families to introduce their kids in community pools or swimming lessons at the earliest stages.
Community wading pools and open recreation pools are crowded, but are still areas of opportunity to interact with lifeguards and area aquatic supervisors.
They encourage pool patrons to ask about the programs available for recreation, health and lifelong fitness.
They also say a knowledge of water safety is valuable year-round, especially with the area's riptides and frequent aggressive ocean conditions.
This summer, the number of kids in the junior lifeguard program in Santa Barbara is one of the highest ever, over 325.