Long Beach Fire Department
Junior Lifeguard Program

SUMMER CALENDAR 2026 SUMMER EVENTS Welcome Picnic: June 20th 1st Day of Junior Guards: June 22nd Aquarium of the Pacific Day: June 25th Long Beach JG Classic: July 7th Pier Jump Fundraiser: July 9th and 10th Swim LB Fundraiser: July 23rd A Group: JG Station/Claremont B Group: Claremont C Group: Leeway CSLSA JG Regionals: July 24th Ironguard: July 28th Last Day of Junior Guards : July 31st Awards Banquet: August 1st **All events and dates are subject to change. More details about the events are below! WELCOME PICNIC This is a fun event for new (and returning) JG Families to come and meet the JG Team before the program starts. Stay awhile and picnic in the park, or just stop by and say hi! The JG Team will be answering questions about the summer program, selling JG LIFE apparel, and setting up some fun games for the JGs! Picnic location and details will be sent out to the JG families via email. FIRST DAY of JGs! It’s the day we’ve all been looking forward to! JGs are dropped off at Claremont & Ocean, and run down to be greeted by their instructors at JG Headquarters! JG Team members will have a booth set up near the drop off location, ready to answer any questions! Make sure your JG brings sunscreen, a towel, snacks, water, and a bag to carry everyday! ROGER COULTER RELAY To honor the legacy of Long Beach Lifeguard legend, Roger Coulter, this Intercrew Relay is held as a kickoff summer event that showcases the physical abilities of Long Beach lifeguards and JG Cadets. While this event is only for our Lifeguard and Cadet competitors, everyone is encouraged to come and cheer on each team! LBJG Classic This day is full of friendly competition for everyone! Each JG will compete in at least 3 events. Run-offs will be an all day event (10AM-3PM) and all JGs are encouraged to participate! Instructors use the run-offs results to determine who qualifies for the LBJG Regionals Competition Team! The Regionals Competition is an event that takes place each summer with other Junior Guards from up and down the coast. Swim Long Beach This event is one of the JG program's FUNdraising tools! JGs have exactly one hour to swim as many buoys as they can! Parents are welcome to cheer on participants from the sand. Make sure to complete your Buoy - A - Thon pledge sheet with names of those willing to donate and turn it in to your instructor before the deadline! Swim LB Page Catalina Trip The Catalina Trip is a yearly favorite of the A group and Cadets. The groups will be taken over to Two Harbors in Catalina on the Catalina Express. JGs will spend the day free-diving, snorkeling, and exploring. JG’s should bring lunch and some snacks for the day. This is a full day event (6AM-5PM) and more details will be provided as we get closer to the scheduled date. Pier Jump Fundraiser The Pier Jump Fundraiser is one of the biggest JG events of the summer! ALL JGs will have the opportunity to make the jump, but JG family members, siblings, and friends (over the age of 18) can donate to jump off Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier WITH their JG! There are 3 separate donation tiers available: $25: 1 jump with your JG! $50: 1 jump with your JG, & 2 Pier Jump shirts! $100: 1 jump with your JG, 2 Pier Jump shirts, & photo/video footage of the jump! Pier Jump Page Ironguard The final week of the program is marked by this challenging event! JGs and their supporters gather at 1st Place and race all the way to the end of the sand at 72nd Place. The course consists of 4 miles of running and 2 miles of swimming. Participants swim around 14 buoys plus all the way around the pier and run the distances between. Participants who complete the race in under 2 hours receive an event hat. A perpetual trophy for the boys & girls top finishers of the A, B and C divisions respectively was created in 2009. Ironguard Page

SWIM LONG BEACH Swim Long Beach is a buoy-a-thon where JGs will be given exactly one hour to swim as many buoys as they can. The goal is to swim the same distance as the perimeter of Long Beach! That's 82 miles! Not only is it a physically challenging event, but it is also an easy way for JGs to contribute to the overall well being of the program itself. Click here for a sponsorship form! Thursday, July 24th Details Each session will have 2 heats. Heat schedules will be posted during the summer. C groups are in the bay at Leeway. A and B groups are on the oceanfront! Date: Time: Location: Prizes The overall top 3 fundraisers win a prize bag & they get to pie their instructor! The JG in each age group that swims the most amount of buoys will get to pie their instructor The JG in each age group that raises the most amount of money will also get to pie to pier their instructor

About JGs LBJGs is a 6 week summer program for youth age 9 to 17. The program focuses on strengthening ocean swimming skills physical fitness, and beach safety awareness. This program gives students the experience they need for future careers as lifeguards or in various public service professions. LEARN MORE HOW TO JOIN TRYOUTS New JGs must pass a tryout at one of the scheduled Tryout dates or at a prep class before they register. The JG program has 8 tryouts scheduled from February through May. Check the “Tryouts” page of the JG website for dates and to sign up! TRYOUTS REGISTRATION Registration opens in February every year. Due to the high demand for our morning session, we have a priority registration policy. Check the "REGISTRATION" page for more information. REGISTRATION PREP CLASS Is your swimmer nervous about passing the JG tryout? Prep Class is a great opportunity for prosepctive new JGs to improve their swimming stroke, speed, and confidence in the water. PREP CLASS

Junior Lifeguard Batalion Chief MSBC Omar Naranjo Years as a Lifeguard: 28 years Years overseeing JG Program: 8 Education: Garfield HS (E.L.A.), Cerritos College, Executive Leadership Program USC Price What is your favorite marine animal and why? Chinook salmon - can adapt to different environments and swim against the current to get the job done. What is a fun fact about yourself? Traveled with Red Bull Air Race for 5 years teaching pilots egress from submerged aircraft. Sgt. Gabriel Buso JG Coordinator Years as a Lifeguard: 9 years Years with JGs: 1st Education: A.A. in Kinesiology What is your favorite marine animal and why? Clownfish, because of Finding Nemo What is your favorite place in Long Beach? The Aquarium of the Pacific Favorite Hobbies? Chess, water polo, and playing with my son Kylee Yocky Administrative Assistant Years with LBFD: 9 years Years with JGs: all 9 years! Education: B.A. from Cal State Fullerton What is your go-to dance move? Anything that embarrasses my children Which JG event are you most excited for? the Ironguard! Fun fact about yourself? I'm a mom of 3 that has never had a sip of coffee Years as Lifeguard: 8 years Years with JGs: 4! Education: B.S. in Sociology from UCLA Fun fact about yourself? I was a Long Beach Junior Lifeguard for 6 years! What is your favorite place in Long Beach? Schooner or Later Favorite hobbies? Body surfing and free diving Brooke Gruneisen JG Assistant Coordinator 2025 Instructor Team Ian Minsterman Cadet / A Group Instructor Years as a Lifeguard: 8 years Years with JGs: 3 summers What event are you must excited for? Excited most for pier jumps. What song would be on your beach day playlist? What a Feeling by Stick Figure Sunrise or Sunsets? Sunrise Paige Jorgensen A Group Instructor Years as Lifeguard: This is my 4th summer! Years with JGs: This is my 2nd summer as an instructor! What JG event are you most excited for: The Ironguard! What song would be on your beach day playlist: Every Morning by Sugar Ray What is your favorite sea creature: Hammerhead shark! Isabell Ortega A Group Instructor Years as Lifeguard: This is my 6th summer Years with JGs: 3rd summer What JG event are you most excited for? Pier Jumps What is your favorite ocean movie? Aquamarine What song would be on your beach day playlist? Sapo Cai by Carlinhos Brown, Mikael Mutti Kelly McCormick B Group Instructor Years as Lifeguard: 4 summers Years with JGs: 2nd year with JGs What event are you must excited for? I am most excited for the Ironguard Explore a sunken ship or swim with dolphins? I would take my Junior Guards to a sunken ship to snorkel What is your favorite tower on the beach? My favorite tower is 55th. Eduardo Dominguez B Group Instructor Years as Lifeguard: 4 years Years with JGs: 2 years! Which JG event are you most excited for? Ironguard!!! Favorite marine animal? Penguins! Explore a sunken ship or swim with dolphins?: Swim with dolphins! Julia Gillott B Group Instructor Years as a Lifeguard: 3 years Years with JGs: My first summer! Which JG event are you most excited for? Pier Jumps!! What is your favorite sea creature? Moon jellies! What is your favorite ocean movie? Aquamarine Brittany Mendoza B Group Instructor Years as Lifeguard: 4 years Years with JGs: 2nd summer Which JG event are you most excited for? I am most excited for pier jumps! What is your favorite ocean movie? Finding Dory What is your favorite sea creature? Stingray Gage Gutierrez B Group Instructor Years as Lifeguard: 3 years Years with JGs: Its my first summer! Which JG event are you most excited for? I am most excited for the Pier Jumps! What is your favorite ocean movie? My favorite ocean movie is Moana What is your favorite Marine Animal? Sharks are my favorite, I think they are so cool. Vanessa Newton B Group Instructor Years as a Lifeguard: 4th summer Years with JGs: 2nd summer What event are you most excited for? The Ironguard! What is your favorite marine animal? Sea Otters What is your favorite ocean movie?: Mama Mia Eric Estrada B / C Group Instructor Years as a Lifeguard: 5 years Years with JGs: 3rd summer! What event are you looking forward to the most? Regional Runoffs! Favorite sea creature? Giant Phantom Jellyfish! Favorite ocean movie? Finding Nemo Bridget Ball C Group Instructor Years as Lifeguard: 4 years Years with JGs: this is my 1st summer! Which JG event are you most excited for? Regionals because I get to watch our LBJGs crush it!! What song would be on your beach day playlist? Lazy Afternoon by Rebelution Sunrise or Sunset? Sunsets all the way! There’s no better way to end the day Kaylee Bloeser C Group Instructor Years as a Lifeguard: 3 summers Years with JGs: 1st summer! What JG event are you most excited far? Pier jumps! Favorite ocean movie? Chasing Mavericks because I love surfing, and it shows the dedication, courage, and respect for the ocean that comes with it. Sunrise or sunset? Sunset! Brooke Ortega C Group Instructor Years as Lifeguard: 5 years Years with JGs: 3 years What event are you must excited for? I'm most excited for Pier Jumps What is your favorite marine animal? Sea otter What If you could take your JGs on a field trip anywhere in the ocean, where would you go? I would explore a sunken ship Nico Song C Group Instructor Years as Lifeguard: 4 years Years with JGs: 2nd summer! Which JG event are you excited for? the Ironguard because my JGs are gonna crush it! Favorite marine animal? Bat Rays What is your favorite ocean field trip? Wibit! Marley Isaacson C Group Instructor Years as Lifeguard: This is my third summer Years with JGs: This is my first summer with JGs Which JG event are you excited for? Pier Jumps! What song would be on your beach playlist? Amber by 311 What is your favorite beach movie? Surfs Up

< Back Kylee Yock Administrative Assistant This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site.

EVENTS WELCOME PICNIC This is a fun event for new (and returning) JG Families to come and meet the JG Team before the program starts. Stay awhile and picnic in the park, or just stop by and say hi! The JG Team will be answering questions about the summer program, selling JG LIFE apparel, and setting up some fun games for the JGs! Picnic location and details will be sent out to the JG families via email. FIRST DAY of JGs! It’s the day we’ve all been looking forward to! JGs are dropped off at Claremont & Ocean, and run down to be greeted by their instructors at JG Headquarters! JG Team members will have a booth set up near the drop off location, ready to answer any questions! Make sure your JG brings sunscreen, a towel, snacks, water, and a bag to carry everyday! ROGER COULTER RELAY To honor the legacy of Long Beach Lifeguard legend, Roger Coulter, this Intercrew Relay is held as a kickoff summer event that showcases the physical abilities of Long Beach lifeguards and JG Cadets. While this event is only for our Lifeguard and Cadet competitors, everyone is encouraged to come and cheer on each team! LBJG Classic This day is full of friendly competition for everyone! Each JG will compete in at least 3 events. Run-offs will be an all day event (10AM-3PM) and all JGs are encouraged to participate! Instructors use the run-offs results to determine who qualifies for the LBJG Regionals Competition Team! The Regionals Competition is an event that takes place each summer with other Junior Guards from up and down the coast. Swim Long Beach This event is one of the JG program's FUNdraising tools! JGs have exactly one hour to swim as many buoys as they can! Parents are welcome to cheer on participants from the sand. Make sure to complete your Buoy - A - Thon pledge sheet with names of those willing to donate and turn it in to your instructor before the deadline! Swim LB Page Catalina Trip The Catalina Trip is a yearly favorite of the A group and Cadets. The groups will be taken over to Two Harbors in Catalina on the Catalina Express. JGs will spend the day free-diving, snorkeling, and exploring. JG’s should bring lunch and some snacks for the day. This is a full day event (6AM-5PM) and more details will be provided as we get closer to the scheduled date. Pier Jump Fundraiser The Pier Jump Fundraiser is one of the biggest JG events of the summer! ALL JGs will have the opportunity to make the jump, but JG family members, siblings, and friends (over the age of 18) can donate to jump off Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier WITH their JG! There are 3 separate donation tiers available: $25: 1 jump with your JG! $50: 1 jump with your JG, & 2 Pier Jump shirts! $100: 1 jump with your JG, 2 Pier Jump shirts, & photo/video footage of the jump! Pier Jump Page Ironguard The final week of the program is marked by this challenging event! JGs and their supporters gather at 1st Place and race all the way to the end of the sand at 72nd Place. The course consists of 4 miles of running and 2 miles of swimming. Participants swim around 14 buoys plus all the way around the pier and run the distances between. Participants who complete the race in under 2 hours receive an event hat. A perpetual trophy for the boys & girls top finishers of the A, B and C divisions respectively was created in 2009. Ironguard Page

< Back Sabrina Zavala Junior Lifeguard Assistant Coordinator This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site.

PIER JUMP FUNDRAISER The Pier Jump Fundraiser is one of the biggest JG events of the summer! ALL JGs will have the opportunity to make the jump, but JG family members, siblings, and friends (over the age of 18) can donate to make the jump WITH their Junior Guard! Donations to the Pier Jump Fundraiser will go towards the Long Beach Junior Lifeguard nonprofit, a partner of the Long Beach Fire Department Junior Lifeguard Program. The nonprofit provides support to the JG program in the way of scholarships, additional equipment, and supplies! Donation Website Details 2026 dates tba TIME: Each group will be given a designated time slot. This is a regular session day so morning groups will jump between 9:00AM-12:00PM and afternoon groups will jump between 1:00-4:00PM LOCATION All JGs and participants will check-in at Termino Lifeguard Tower Limited street parking is available, or metered parking in the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier Parking Lot (3998 East Allin St, Long Beach, CA 90803) EVERYONE will be dropped off and picked up from Termino on these dates How to Donate Three donation tiers: $25: 1 jump with your Junior Guard! $50: 1 jump with your Junior Guard, AND a Pier Jump t-shirt for yourself & your JG! $100: 1 jump with your Junior Guard, a Pier Jump t-shirt for yourself & your JG, AND photo/video footage of the jump! Pier Jump shirts will also be available to purchase for $25 each. There will be a swim test for donors on the day of your jump. Lifeguards at the swim test have the ability to cancel your pier jump if they do not feel you can swim safely back to shore. Donations are non-refundable and non-transferable. Sign-ups for each group will close the day before at 5pm If you have multiple children in a single age group, you will be able to jump together. Those who have Junior Guards in multiple age groups will have to make separate donations AND participate in the swim test each day. Safety SAFETY is number one. There will be water support from additional lifeguards, Junior Lifeguard Cadets, and Long Beach Lifeguard Marine Safety Staff Spectators will be asked to remain behind the designated coned area to allow enough space for participants and the JG Team We recommend having your Junior Guard stay for the full session on this day.

< Back Cpt. Omar Naranjo Junior Lifeguard Captain This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site.

BEACH DAY New junior guards are invited to join us for an introduction to JGs! The goal of Beach Day is to give new JGs the opportunity to get comfortable swimming on the oceanfront prior to the first day of the summer program. DETAILS JGs will be in small groups of up to 10, assigned the day of the event All groups will check in across the bike path at 5400 E Ocean Blvd Groups will be assigned at check-in Instructors will walk groups across the street to Bayshore Beach where they will practice safe water entries/exits Once everyone feels comfortable, instructors will move groups to the oceanfront Additional instructors will be on the beach for support Parents are welcome to observe activities on the oceanfront but are asked not to interrupt instruction time *Registration is capped at 50 participants per session. Sign Up Here! WHEN & WHERE Session 1: Date: Saturday, June 6th Time: 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM Session 2: Date: Saturday, June 6th Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Please DO NOT RSVP for both sessions to leave space for other JGs to participate