Huntington State Beach
Junior Lifeguards
An Ocean Safety &
Interpretation Program.

The Huntington State Beach Junior Lifeguard program, which includes the Bolsa Chica State Beach Junior Guards, is for boys & girls ages 9 to 16. The aim of our program is to provide a safe place where participants can be instructed in a variety of skills pertaining to the lifeguard profession and the aquatic environment. Instructors will introduce participants to basic CPR skills, basic First Aid, basic rescue techniques, and lifeguarding procedures. We also include an interpretive component that provides information about ocean habitats and local ecosystems. Field trips are included.

Locations

Huntington State Beach:

• FOUR  2-week programs
• At Tower 10, North of Magnolia & PCH
• For more info: CLICK HERE

Bolsa Chica State Beach:

• THREE  2-week programs
• At Tower 20, South of the Bolsa Chica State Beach entrance
• For more info: CLICK HERE

 

Instructors

Our staff is made up of currently employed and fully trained California State Parks Ocean Lifeguards, all of which are required to have spent two seasons in the field prior to becoming an instructor. Our instructors average nearly 10 years of experience. All of our instructors possess an intimate knowledge of the ocean, excellent lifeguarding skills, and a great ability to interact with youths. The ratio of students to instructor is 20:1.

Activities

Unlike other local programs which offer three hours of training, we offer six hours of instruction per day. The extra time we offer allows our program to go more in-depth in all areas of instruction. Main focuses involve general aquatic safety, team building exercises, and physical fitness. The majority of the programs content revolves around the following areas:

Recreation: Surfing, Bodyboarding, Dodgeball, Beach Flags, Paddle Boards, SUP, Swimming
Education: CPR Skills, First Aid Skills, Mock Rescues, Victim Recognition, Beach Operations
Interpretation: Least Tern Preserve, Beach Hazards, Wetlands, Wildlife Care Center
Competition: Activities designed to increase participation at both individual and team level (opportunities to compete against other agencies)

To Qualify

The Junior Lifeguard Program is NOT a “learn to swim” school. Therefore, prospective students are screened at a tryout test to see if they have the minimum skills to benefit from the Junior Lifeguard Program. The instructors approve a child’s skill level based upon successful completion of the test and on the child’s swimming competence and confidence.

ENROLLMENT IS FILLED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS. RETURNING JG’S DO NOT HAVE TO TRYOUT.

Tryout Requirements

• Swim 100 yards under the time standard for your age:
  Huntington State Beach:
  9-10 years old: 2:10
  11-12 years old: 2:00
  13-15 years old: 1:50
  Bolsa Chica State Beach:
  9-10 years old: 2:20
  11-12 years old: 2:10
  13-15 years old: 2:00
  
• Swim 10 yards completely underwater
• Tread water for 5 minutes without rest

Tryout Locations & Dates

CLICK HERE for key dates and locations

Parent Orientation

We now have an Online Parent Orientation available on our website. This Parent Orientation is an opportunity for those new to the program to learn specific information about the daily operations prior to the start of the programs.

To view our online Parent Orientation CLICK HERE

For in-person Parent Orientation dates and locations CLICK HERE