The Kaua'i Fire Department will begin accepting registrants for the Kaua'i Junior Lifeguard Program today, at the Lihu'e Civic Center and at county lifeguard towers.

The program teaches ocean safety and lifesaving skills and includes physical fitness and competitions. It is free and open to kids 13 to 17 who can swim and can run 100 yards without stopping and without assistance.

Participants are assigned to one of a series of islandwide weeklong programs in June and July, which run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, call the county Ocean Safety Bureau at 241-6506.