Junior Lifeguards

Junior Lifeguards started during World War I in Chicago. Due to financial constraints and a reduction in the numbers of regular lifeguard staff, a program was started where young men volunteered. They were offered free t-shirts and the opportunity to learn lifesaving skills and practice with lifeguard equipment. Their task was to add to the eyes of the regular lifeguards. It took several decades before this program evolved in other areas. Municipalities have learned this program produces strong lifeguard recruits and provides valuable public safety education and summer youth activity. The USLA reports that over 50,000 participants in junior lifeguard programs each year.

During the 1956 Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia, a group of Los Angeles County Lifeguards, who were also members of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team, attended a surfing contest in the nearby town of Torquay. While at the contest, these visiting lifeguards were impressed by a program conducted at the Torquay Surf Lifesaving Club. That program aimed at educating and training the local youth in swimming, ocean safety, and lifesaving skills. Taking the idea back home, several of the guards organized and established a Junior Lifeguard program in Los Angeles in 1957. The program was soon copied by several other beaches in southern California and as far away as Santa Cruz.

In 1968, a Los Angeles County Lifeguard named Alex Nordholm had moved north to Carpinteria. Using knowledge from a recent trip to Australia where he observed the “Nipper” programs, he started a Junior Lifeguard program. He and fellow Carpinteria State Lifeguard John Kuizenga, started the program at Carpinteria State Beach with 25 participants the first year. By 1970, the program had doubled in size. In 1971, Mr. Nordholm and Mr. Whie moved the program to Santa Barbara and operated it out of a small office in the present day Cabrillo Pavilion. The program has been held at East Beach ever since. Due to the success of Junior Lifeguards, there are several programs offered in Santa Barbara County at Refugio State Beach, UCSB Campus Point, East Beach, Hendry’s and Carpinteria.

Swim Evaluations at Los Baños Pool

The Junior Lifeguard Swim Evaluation is a benchmark for parents to measure their child’s swimming strength and stamina before the ocean swim test. This evaluation is highly recommended for all new participants. Participants that currently play in a water polo club or swim club can have their coach email the participant’s time to our Junior Lifeguard Directors at juniorlifeguards@santabarbaraca.gov.

Swimming Benchmarks

• Lil’ Nippers : 50 meter swim in 1 min 40 sec or less
• Groups A, B, and C : 100 meter swim in 2:45 minutes or less 

Ocean Swim Test

All participants in the City of Santa Barbara’s Junior Lifeguard Program need to be strong competent swimmers in the ocean. On Day 1 of each session, all groups will participate in an ocean swim test. This test is untimed. Participants simply need to stay with the group. Each group will swim a pre-designated course. The length of the course varies for each age group. Refusing to enter the ocean in a timely manner or falling significantly behind the main group are the two main reasons that participants will not be permitted to continue in the Junior Lifeguard Program. When this situation occurs, a Junior Lifeguard Director will contact the parent / guardian to inform them of the situation. A full refund will be issued in these circumstances and staff will assist in registering for alternative camps for the program weeks if desired.

All Junior Lifeguards must report each day wearing a program t-shirt, hat, and solid red swimsuit / swim trunks. Swimsuits must allow for frequent and strenuous exercise.

Program T-Shirt

Participants are required to wear a white program shirt daily. One shirt is included with the cost of the program.

Red Swim Trunks or Swimsuit 

Participants are required to wear a red swimsuit or swim trunks daily. This item is not included with the cost of the program.  This online store offers a good selection of athletic red swimwear:  https://jrguards.com/collections/santabarbara 

Athletic two-piece suits are allowed for girls. Jammers/Speedos/Rashguards can be any color

Wetsuit Policy

Wetsuits are now permitted. If your child is planning to wear a wetsuit, they must be able to put the wetsuit on and take it off by themselves. Alternatively, they can arrive with it on and remain in it for the entirety of the program. Popular wetsuit styles for the JG Program are; wetsuit tops, spring suits and short sleeve full suits.

1. For the safety and success of all Junior Lifeguards, it is crucial that all instructions from JG Instructors, Lifeguards, Aquatics Staff, and Emergency Services Personnel be followed immediately.
2. All Junior Lifeguards must report on time each day wearing a program T-shirt, hat, and solid red swimsuit/ swim trunks. Swimsuits must allow for frequent and strenuous exercise (i.e. no bikinis for girls or over-sized trunks for boys.) Swimsuits and trunks can be purchased at https://jrguards.com/collections/santabarbara or any local surf shop or sporting goods store.
3. Requests by Junior Lifeguards to be dismissed early, or to be excused from a particular program activity, will only be granted with a written explanation from parents/guardians, unless an emergency occurs.
4. Lectures and instructions provide important safety information for program participants, therefore full attention must be given at all times in order to avoid possible injury to oneself or other Junior Lifeguards.
5. All Junior Lifeguards must wear/bring sunblock (waterproof SPF 15 or above) and a hat or visor each day. Time will be provided to reapply sunblock during program hours. (NOTE: sunblock adheres best to cool skin; therefore, we encourage the application of sunblock in the morning before dressing.) A towel and extra clothing to protect against the sun and cool temperatures are also recommended. Rash guards used to protect against sun damage are allowed as long as they do not interfere with daily activities.
6. The Aquatics Office and Equipment Room are off limits to Junior Lifeguards unless accompanied by a JG Instructor or Lifeguard. Junior Lifeguards are not allowed to use the office telephones unless accompanied by a JG Instructor. The use of cell phones are not allowed during program hours without permission from a JG Instructor. Junior Lifeguards may not use the Cabrillo Pavilion facilities (locker rooms, indoor showers). Outdoor showers are available to Junior Lifeguards after program hours.
7. Junior Lifeguards are advised to bring a refillable water bottle and a light lunch, as physical training activities will often immediately follow lunchtime.
8. All Junior Lifeguard equipment must be handled properly and with care as directed by the JG Instructors. Intentional misuse of equipment is potentially dangerous and will result in disciplinary action.
9. All Junior Lifeguards must assist in daily cleanup of training and meeting areas.
10. The following actions and behavior are clearly not representative of a Santa Barbara Junior Lifeguard, and will result in possible dismissal from the program:
    1. The throwing of sand, rocks, sticks, or other objects found in the sand/ocean.
    2. Stealing or handling of personal items belonging to another Junior Lifeguard, or any other person, without that person's permission.
    3. Physically attacking or using profane language/gestures toward another Junior Lifeguard, Instructor, Lifeguard, Aquatics Staff Member, or member of the public.
    4. Jumping off Stearns Wharf (Pier Jumping)
    5. Ditching the program
    6. Insubordination
    7. Fighting with another participant or other person
    8. Unlawful or non-consensual touching of another person
    9. In order to maintain the outstanding reputation that Santa Barbara Junior Lifeguards have earned within the community, all Junior Lifeguards must display courtesy to all persons with whom they come in contact, particularly while in uniform.
11. Violations of any of the above rules and regulations will result in disciplinary action in one or more of the following forms:
    1. Verbal counseling
    2. Temporary dismissal from the regular program activity in order to engage in an alternative training activity as directed by the JG Instructor.
    3. Parent conference.
    4. Suspension from the program.
    5. Dismissal from the program.

Behavior Expectations

For the Junior Lifeguard Program to be successful, participants must exhibit behavior that is respectful of our staff, other participants, our equipment and facilities. Group activities are vital to our program. A participant that is disruptive to group activities and disrespectful to JG Instructors diminishes the enjoyment, experience and education of the other participants. The intent of alternative training activities is to instruct the participant to gain compliance with acceptable behavior norms. Therefore, please familiarize your Junior Lifeguard with the following expected behaviors:

• Respect the JG Instructors and other staff.
• Respect other participants: no shoving, hitting or name-calling.
• Respect and protect the facilities, equipment and property of others.
• Cooperate with others.
• Practice good sportsmanship.
• Follow all safety rules and all instructions.
• Listen quietly to directions / announcements.
• Participate in regular program activities.
• Arrive on time and be promptly picked up from the program

Minor Behavior Incidents

When a minor behavior situation occurs, the participant will be counseled about the situation and given an explanation of what behavior change is expected. If a subsequent incident occurs, the participant will be asked to take a "TAKE A LAP". “A LAP" is an alternative training activity which is a supervised swim, run or calisthenics of reasonable distance or quantity. After the "LAP”, the participant is allowed to rejoin the group activity. When a participant has a series of "LAPs” in the same day or a series of alternative training activities over several days, the JG Director will inform the youth's parent or guardian about the situation. When a participant continually disregards the JG Instructors or shows little or no improvement, the participant may be suspended from the program for one day.

The parent or guardian of the participant will be informed that the participant has been suspended. There will be no prorated refund of fees. If after the suspension, the participant's behavior is still not acceptable, the parent or guardian of the participant will be informed that the participant will be removed from the Junior Lifeguard Program. There will be no refund of fees.

Major Behavior Incidents

Major first time incidents may progress the participant directly to suspension or removal from the program. Major incidents would include:

• The throwing of sand, rocks, sticks, or other objects found in the sand/ocean.
• Stealing or handling of personal items belonging to another Junior Lifeguard, or any other person, without that person's permission.
• Physically attacking or using profane language/gestures toward another Junior Lifeguard, JG Instructor, Lifeguard, Aquatics Staff Member, or member of the public.
• Jumping off Stearns Wharf (Pier Jumping)
• Ditching the program
• Insubordination
• Fighting with another participant or other person
• Unlawful or non-consensual touching of another person
• Vandalism of equipment or facilities.
• Other conduct, which brings disrespect on the Junior Lifeguard Program