
Junior Lifeguard Program
Open to all children (ages 9 through 17) in Los Angeles County, the Junior Lifeguard program is designed to instruct youth in beach and ocean skills, such as water safety, physical conditioning, first aid, rescue techniques, CPR and more.
2021 Junior Lifeguard Program Status
Due to COVID-19 guidelines set by the Department of Public Health, The Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division’s Junior Lifeguard Program is suspended indefinitely. The March 9, 2021 motion to safely resume the Junior Lifeguard Program is pending approval by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in consultation with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and Office of Emergency Management.
We appreciate your patience and continued support and look forward to seeing you on the sand.
~The Junior Lifeguard Office
If you have any questions, please contact our Recruitment Unit at (310) 939-7214 or email us at
fire-juniorlifeguards@fire.lacounty.gov.
Thank you for being part of the Los Angeles County Junior Lifeguard Program family. We’re looking forward to seeing you back here at the beach.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A JUNIOR LIFEGUARD
CONTACT THE LIFEGUARD RECRUITMENT UNIT AT (310) 939-7214 OR EMAIL US!
Frequently Asked Questions
(click the question to expand the answer)
The program dates are TBD. Please see the official statement above regarding the status of the program
If a minimum number of participants is not met, the group/session may be cancelled.
Avalon (First Session, AM Only)
Cabrillo (First Session, AM Only)
Torrance (Both Sessions, AM and PM)
Redondo (Both Sessions; First Session, AM and PM; Second Session, AM Only)
Tim Kelly (Both Sessions, AM and PM)
Hermosa (Both Sessions, AM and PM)
Manhattan (Both Sessions, AM and PM)
El Segundo (Both Sessions; First Session, AM and PM; Second Session, AM Only)
Surf Racing Team (SRT) (First Session and part of Second Session, AM Only)
Venice (Both Sessions; First Session, AM and PM; Second Session, AM Only)
Santa Monica (First Session, AM Only)
Will Rogers (Both Sessions; First Session, AM and PM; Second Session, AM Only)
Zuma (First Session, AM Only)
NEW JUNIOR LIFEGUARD REGISTRATION:
Every new Junior Lifeguard (JG), including those who have been away from the program for a year or more, is required to sign-up through our website for the swim test lottery system.
Each swim test location will have a separate lottery system that will issue a random appointment time for your child to swim on the day of the test.
Sign-ups are typically the week before each swim test.
The sign-up is not acceptance into the program and will not give a confirmation e-mail with the appointment time until the sign-up window closes.
Once users complete the online sign-up, an e-mail will be sent to notify users that we have received their information for the lottery system; this notification is not a confirmation of appointment time.
Once the sign-up window closes, users will then receive an e-mail with their appointment time confirmation which may be sent the Friday after each sign-up window closes.
Swim tests will be held in Spring 2020. The following tentative dates (locations TBD) are as follows:
- Swim Test 1: Saturday, April 4, 2020
- Swim Test 2: Saturday, April 18, 2020
- Swim Test 3: Sunday, May 3, 2020
After completing the new Junior Lifeguard swim test, successful swimmers will be guided by staff through the registration process which includes selecting a beach location from what is available, class enrollment (AM/PM, Session I or Session II), completing payment (by check or credit card), and receiving a uniform.
RETURNING JUNIOR LIFEGUARD REGISTRATION:
Registration for returning Junior Lifeguards is a two-part process:
Priority Registration (to maintain your exact enrollment from the previous year): February 3-28, 2020
Open Registration (to change any part of your enrollment from the previous year; first come, first serve):
Registration for returning Junior Lifeguards is a two-part process:
Priority Registration (to maintain your exact enrollment from the previous year): February 3-28, 2020
Open Registration (to change any part of your enrollment from the previous year; first come, first serve):
- ‘A’ (14-17 years old) – March 9-11, 2020
- ‘B’ (12-13 years old) – March 16-18, 2020
- ‘C’ (9-11 years old) – March 23-25, 2020
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A JUNIOR GUARD?
Candidates must complete a seven-foot surface dive as well as a 100-yard pool swim test under*:
- 1:50 for 9-11 year olds as of 7/1/20 – “C” Age Group
1:40 for 12-13 year olds as of 7/1/20 – “B” Age Group
1:30 for 14-17 year olds as of 7/1/20 – “A” Age Group
If a new applicant is unable to pass the required time in the first try and is within five (5) seconds of their time standard, they will be allowed ONE re-swim on that day. If they are unable to pass on the second try, they will be eligible to re-swim at another available swim date.
To ensure a smooth testing process and sufficient preparation to swim in the waves and ocean, we recommend new applicants actively participate in an aquatics program for at least a few months leading up to the swim test.
*Swim times are determined by the age group a child will be participating in during the program, NOT the current age of the applicant. For example, if an applicant is 11 years old on the date of the tryout, but will turn 12 on or before July 1st, they are considered a “B”, not a “C”, and must pass the required “B” swim time.
NOTE: This information is provided for Junior Lifeguards who successfully completed the 2019 Summer Program and will be returning for the 2020 Summer Program.
All eligible returning Junior Lifeguards (JG) will have the opportunity to reserve their EXACT SAME SPOT from last summer (2019) with our Priority Registration process.
In February 2020, all eligible returning JGs will be able to access the online form. An e-mail will be sent to the parent’s e-mail address on file in January 2020. The Priority Registration window will be available in February 2020. The link and access code may be used ONCE at any time during the registration window. This is NOT first come, first serve. Parents will have the entire month of February to use this system.
Returning JGs who do NOT want to return to their previous spot may forfeit their Priority Registration enrollment by declining in the online form. Returning JGs who do not submit the online form by its deadline will automatically forfeit their Priority Registration enrollment. Any Returning JG who forfeits their spot will then have the option to enroll in a class through our online first come, first serve Open Registration to take place in March. Your access code during Priority Registration is only good for ONE registration. If an error was made while using the Priority Registration system, please contact the office.
The following are this year’s age groups:
“A” (14-17 years old as of July 1, 2020)
“B” (12-13 years old as of July 1, 2020)
“C” (9-11 years old as of July 1, 2020)
Beach availability cannot be guaranteed.
Waitlist options may be available.
There is NO WAITLIST for Priority Registration. Priority Registration is designed for those wishing to remain at the previous summer’s (2019) beach location, class, and session. Any JG who chooses to remain at their spot from last summer but would like to waitlist somewhere else as well may wait until AFTER Open Registration closes for the appropriate age group; they may be added to a waitlist by contacting the office. Remember, by the time Open Registration closes, waitlists may be extensive and your child will be placed at the back end of a given waitlist. NO EXCEPTIONS.
The swim test dates and locations are TBD. Please see the official statement above regarding the status of the program.
Returning Junior Lifeguards who successfully completed the previous summer do not have to tryout again. All new applicants and returning Junior Lifeguards who have been away from the program for one year or more must attend one of our pool swim tryouts.
For the pool swim tryout: a lightweight, racing-style swimsuit (a.k.a. “Speedos” or jammers because baggy suits make for slow times), a cap (to keep the hair out of their eyes), goggles (test day is not the day to try a new pair), and a towel.
For a day at Junior Lifeguards: a uniform (provided), towel, sunscreen, hat, water, and a healthy snack.
Every day in the Junior Lifeguard Program may be a little different. A typical day may go as follows:
- Meet instructor at drop-off location
- Take roll
- Warm-up
- Water event (buoy swim)*
- Take places/de-brief event
- Snack/re-hydrate/re-apply sunscreen
- Ocean/lifeguard-related discussion
- Skills training
- Game (time permitting)
- Pack up/upcoming event reminder
- Release at pick-up location
*Junior Lifeguards are expected to complete a buoy swim every day. This requires them to swim head-down freestyle continuously in and out of the surf with lifeguard supervision.
Our absence policy states that participants are able to miss up to five (5) days of the program without needing to re-test at one of our pool swim tests the following year.
If a participant misses ten (10) or more days, they will automatically be required to re-test the following year.
If a participant misses between six (6) and nine (9) days of the program, it is up to the Junior Lifeguard instructor’s discretion as to whether the participant successfully completed the program requirements.
Due to the impacted nature of the Junior Lifeguard Program and the class size limits for safety purposes, make-ups for absences at a different beach, time, or session are NOT permitted.
After the first day of the program, individual beach instructors handle attendance. All absences must be excused with a note to your child’s instructor.
If the absence is known in advance, please send a parent/guardian note with your child prior to the absence. Otherwise, provide the note upon your child’s return to the program. Please do NOT e-mail absence notes to the office.
If your child needs to arrive late to the program, please send a note with them to excuse the late arrival. Keep in mind that some beach locations set up their group a distance away from the drop-off location. It may be a good idea to park and walk with your child to ensure they arrive safely to their instructor.
If your child needs to leave early, please send a note with them that includes specific instructions for their pick-up (i.e., exact pick-up time and location). It may be a good idea to park and walk down to your child’s group to ensure they leave safely.
Please note that arriving late or leaving early DOES NOT count as an absence.
During initial registration, Junior Lifeguards can only sign up for one session. Once all registration is complete, depending on availability, we will re-open the system and allow Junior Lifeguards to sign up for an additional session.
The fee for the 2020 Junior Lifeguard Program is $535. A uniform is included in the fee. All participants receive a Junior Lifeguard t-shirt and a swimsuit, either a navy blue Speedo tank one-piece or a pair of navy blue custom-designed Hippy Tree board shorts. Financial aid is available.
Yes, 2020 financial aid will be available for those who apply and qualify.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department is committed to offering quality programs to the youth throughout Los Angeles County. The purpose of the financial aid program is to encourage the participation of young people with limited access or opportunity by assisting qualified applicants with program tuition fees.
Along with your financial aid application, you must include a copy of each of the following:
- Federal tax return (2019)
- W-2
- Your most recent three months of pay stubs
- Or proof of public assistance
Your application will not be processed without these components. All information will remain strictly confidential. You may not apply for financial aid after you have registered and paid the full fee; there are no retroactive refunds. There is no guarantee of approval or funding amount for individual or family applications. Financial aid is based on availability of funds and applies for one summer only.
RETURNING Junior Lifeguards, please print out the application and supporting documents for financial aid and attach them to the registration packet. This packet should be mailed to the address listed on the application. PLEASE DO NOT ATTACH PAYMENT as your payment amount will be determined after review.
NEW Junior Lifeguards to the program, please fill out the application and bring it with you to the swim test, including your supporting documents. DO NOT MAIL IT TO THE OFFICE. Your application and documents will be reviewed on the pool deck after successfully completing the swim test.
2020 FINANCIAL AID FORM
Please check back for the 2020 Financial Aid Form
2020 TRANSPORTATION
Please check back for the 2020 Transportation Form
If a Junior Lifeguard is unable to participate in the program (e.g., medical reason, personal conflict, inability to complete swims, etc.), a partial refund may be available. All refund requests must be submitted in writing to the Junior Lifeguard Office or via e-mail to Fire-JrLGRefunds@fire.lacounty.gov.
Our refund policy is outlined below:
First Session
Partial refund request submitted by June 22, 2020: $5 processing fee (if uniform was not pick up, refund is $530) OR $60 processing fee (if uniform was picked up, refund is $475).
Partial refund request submitted between June 23, 2020 and June 26, 2020: $60 processing fee, plus 20% of program fee (refund is $368).
No refund after June 26, 2020.
Second Session
Partial refund request submitted by July 20, 2020: $5 processing fee (if uniform was not pick up, refund is $530) OR $60 processing fee (if uniform was picked up, refund is $475).
Partial refund request submitted between July 21, 2020 and July 24, 2020: $60 processing fee, plus 20% of program fee (refund is $368).
No refund after July 24, 2020.
The Tax ID Number of the Junior Lifeguard Program is: 95-6000927. If you need a Tax ID recipient, please e-mail the office after your child has completed the summer program.
Cadets are Junior Lifeguards that are being groomed to become Lifeguards. They operate under the supervision of a Junior Lifeguard instructor. Cadets will be challenged to learn basic lifeguard skills, ocean conditions, rescue techniques, and CPR. Cadets are also expected to lead younger Junior Lifeguards in practical and physical skills.
Cadet applicant must be 16 or 17 years old (as of July 1, 2020) and must have completed at least two years in the Junior Lifeguard program, one year of which as an “A”.
The Junior Lifeguard Program will hold two information sessions for the Cadet and Surf Racing Team programs at Dockweiler Youth Center (12505 Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293):
- Tuesday, April 14, 2020, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 21, 2020, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m
2020 CADET EXERCISE PREP
Please check back for 2020 Cadet Exercise Prep Information
2020 CADET APPLICATION
Please check back for the 2020 Cadet Application.
The Los Angeles County Junior Lifeguard Surf Racing Team (SRT) is designed to meet the ever-growing demand for more competition experience throughout the summer season.
Unlike the typical Junior Lifeguard schedule, the SRT meets three (3) hours a day (8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.), beginning Monday, June 22, 2020 through Friday, July 31, 2020 at the Dockweiler Youth Center.
Full-time coaches will create event-specific training with the goal of improving surf racing skills for each member of the SRT.
Unique experiences outside of life-saving events may include outrigger canoe and distance paddleboards.
Eligible applicants are RETURNING Junior Lifeguards who are ages 15-17 years old (as of July 1, 2020) and who have successfully completed one summer of “A”.
The Junior Lifeguard Program will hold two information sessions for the Cadet and Surf Racing Team programs at Dockweiler Youth Center (12505 Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293):
- Tuesday, April 14, 2020, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 21, 2020, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
2020 COMPETITION APPLICATION AND DATES
Please check back for 2020 Competition Application and Dates