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.

Group A:
For campers 14-17 years of age, Group A provides the opportunity for action-packed days filled with buoy swims, pier runs, dodgeball matches, flag races, and intense competition training, fostering both water skills and teamwork

Group B:
For campers 12-13 years of age, Group B provides the opportunity for action-packed days filled with buoy swims, games of water flags, and timed trials to prepare for summer competitions, fostering both water skills and teamwork

Group C:
For campers 9-11 years of age, Group C provides a dynamic social springboard for campers to learn different ocean skills such as bodysurfing and paddleboarding, safety skills like CPR and safe water entries, and the games and skills to prepare for summer competitions 

Group D:
For campers 7-8 years of age, Group D provides playful beach and ocean games such as dodgeball and paddleboarding, all while receiving a solid foundation in essential ocean skills, proving that even the youngest campers are on their way to becoming seasoned Junior Lifeguards. 

Swimming Benchmarks

• Groups A, B, and C : 100 meter swim in 2:45 minutes or less 
• Group D : 50 meter swim in 1 min 40 sec 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.