Long Beach Fire Department
Junior Lifeguard Program

< Back Devon Beebe Junior Lifeguard 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.

CONTACT US Questions? Be sure to check out our FAQ page! FAQs You can also send an email using the form below. Send Success! Message received. Email is the best way to contact us. We are not always in the office. EMAIL ADDRESS LBJG@longbeach.gov OFFICE PHONE (562)536-7807 JG STATION 5374 E. Ocean Blvd Long Beach, CA MAILING ADDRESS 3205 Lakewood Blvd Long Beach, CA

IRONGUARD TOP FINISHERS 2025 A Group - Girls McKenna Rosenberg- 1:12.43 Kara Cohu - 1:1310 Sophia Newland - 1:18.00 B Group - Girls Emmylou Kennedy- 1:13.19 Claire Billish- 1:14.00 Katelyn Pearce- 1:19.04 C Group - Girls Azul Velasco- 1:27.40 Ren Aguado- 1:33.29 Marina Carney- 1:39.00 A Group - Boys Mit Muni- 1:01.55 John Green- 1:05.15 Aidan Conrey- 1:10.00 B Group - Boys Dean VanderWal- 1:10.36 Colin Shanedling- 1:13.10 Donovan Hughlett- 1:16.50 C Group - Boys Sean Daniels- 1:17.59 Jaxson Avila- 1:23.12 Ronan Rawson- 1:34.07 2024 A Group - Girls Natalia Pragale - 1:15:57 Elizabeth Aydin- 1:24:09 Mckenna Rosenberg- 1:24:50 B Group - Girls Kara Cohu- 1:18:20 Emmylou Kennedy- 1:23:20 Sophia Newland- 1:25:00 C Group - Girls Audrey Naranjo- 1:24:39 Zoey Amaro Vidrio- 1:29:02 Julianna Cavrikas- 1:31:00 A Group - Boys Mit Muni- 1:09:51 John Green- 1:13:03 Tyler Mattenson- 1:15:05 B Group - Boys Lucas Ramirez- 1:15:05 Brandon Waldenfels- 1:19:38 Aidan Conrey- 1:20:23 C Group - Boys Sean Daniels- 1:22:21 Ricky Cardenas- 1:30:19 Ayden Spjut- 1:30:20 2023 A Group - Girls Natalia Pragale - 1:23.10 Taylor Williams - 1:29.29 Grace Walker - 1:31.29 B Group - Girls Elliana Keegan - 1:20.00 Kara Cohu - 1:28.33 Abigail Billish - 1:32.00 C Group - Girls Emmylou Kennedy - 1:31.00 Lexa Stickney - 1:34.10 Brighton Gordin - 1:34.41 A Group - Boys Josh Lindner - 1:17.29* Tyler Mattenson - 1:19.01 David Gonzalez - 1:25.50 B Group - Boys Mit Muni - 1:18.32 Gabe Sison - 1:19.27 Aiden Greenwood - 1:22.45 C Group - Boys Dean VanderWal- 1:25.00 Donovan Hughlett - 1:37.00 Koa Aguado & James Spino - 1:44.00 * Current or former Long Beach Lifeguard

PHONE SUMMER PROGRAM DETAILS How to Be a JG The Long Beach Junior Lifeguard Summer Program offers students ages nine to seventeen instruction in lifeguard rescue techniques, first aid, ocean sports, physical conditioning, and marine ecology. This program gives students the experience they need for future careers as lifeguards or in various public service professions. All aspects of beach activity will be explored from running to skin diving. The program is presented in a manner that will enable students to participate to the best of his or her ability while learning new skills. We end each summer with the annual Ironguard event, a four mile run and two mile swim that shows students the progress they have made throughout the summer. REGISTRATION 6-week Program June 22nd - July 31st AM & PM Sessions Morning: 9am-12pm Afternoon: 1pm-4pm Ages 9-17 Cadets: 15-17 years old A Group: 14-17 years old B Group: 12-13 years old C Group: 9-11 years old 2026 $606 Scholarships available for LBUSD students Learn More What's a day in the life look like? For more information about the day-to-day of the Junior Lifeguard program, check out the Summer Handbook! LEARN MORE

LBJG CLASSIC Each summer the California Surf Lifesaving Association hosts a regional competition for junior lifeguards from up and down the California coast. Long Beach Junior Lifeguards hosts the Long Beach JG Classic (previously known as Regional Run-offs) to give all JGs a chance to compete for a spot on our JG competition team. The Long Beach JG Classic is not a regularly scheduled day. There will be no AM/PM session on this date - all JGs will be on the beach for one session from 10am-3pm. Please continue reading below for more information. WHEN & WHERE DATE: 2026 date TBA TIME: 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM for ALL JGs! Location: Claremont Lifeguard Station

Environmental Stewardship Essay Contest As a capstone to the program, LBJGs have the opportunity to participate in an essay contest. The essays reflect on their personal experiences as Junior Lifeguards and their time at the Aquarium, as well as, encourage participants to articulate their personal growth and insights gained from the program. JGs are also asked to explore the relationship between environmental stewardship and community responsibility. Generous donations support the essay contest, including a four first prize scholarships of $1,000 from the Jr. Lifeguard Foundation and Aquarium of the Pacific Board Members, Bob and Val Hoffman. Second and third place prizes with experiences donated by the Aquarium of the Pacific. - Nathaniel Terrel, Cadet Group "Environmental stewardship is closely tide to community responsibility; one cannot exist without the other." Writing Contest Information This is an optional writing contest; it is not required to participate in the LBJG program. 3 winners from each age group will be selected - Cadets (15-17 years old), A Group (14-17 years old), B Group (12-13 years old), and C Group (9-11 years old). Winners will be announced at the Junior Lifeguard Awards Ceremony. If your JG would like to participate in the essay contest, they must submit their essay to their JG instructor by JULY 20. Continue Reading for essay prompt, rules and prizes! 2026 Essay Contest Prompt ONLY Cadet, A and B Group Reflecting on your experiences as a Junior Lifeguard and your time spent at the Aquarium of the Pacific, write an essay that explores the relationship of environmental stewardship and community responsibility. ONLY C Group Think about your time as a Junior Lifeguard and at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Write a story about what you learned about helping the ocean and its creatures. You may include a drawing with your essay. Essay Guidelines: Cadets and A Group: Essay can be up to 2 pages typed, double spaced B Group: Essay can be up to 1 page typed, double spaced or handwritten Handwritten essays will only be accepted if the writing is legible. C Group: Essay can be up to 3 paragraphs typed or handwritten and can include a drawing Handwritten essays will only be accepted if the writing is legible. Drawings are not mandatory JGs can get official lined paper for their handwritten essay from their JG instructor 2026 Awards and Prizes There will be a 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place winner from each age group below: Cadets (15-17 years old) A group (14-17 years old) B group (12-13 years old) C group (9-11 years old) Winners will receive the following prizes: 1st Place Winners (4 winners) $1000 Scholarship - $500 from the Aquarium of the Pacific & $500 from the Long Beach Junior Lifeguard Foundation 2nd Place Winners (4 winners) 6 tickets to the Aquarium Aquarium of the Pacific beanie 3rd Place Winners (4 winners) 2 tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific “Just because we don’t live in the ocean doesn’t mean that the beach isn’t part of our community; it is, and it’s what makes Long Beach so special.” - Louie Munoz, B Group “As Junior Lifeguards, we are not just trained in water rescue but also became ambassadors for marine conservation.” - Makayla Amadeus, A Group

SUMMER HANDBOOK The JG Team created the Family Handbook to give JG families as much information as we can about the day-to-day operations of the JG Program, as well as special events. Below are some of the highlights from the handbook. We highly recommend taking the time to go through the entirety of the handbook and reviewing it with your JG before the start of the program. Pick-up/Drop-off JG drop off is located in the parking lot off of Claremont and Ocean Blvd. Your child's instructor will meet their group at the lot every day for drop off, and will accompany your child back to the lot at the end of every day for pick up. What to Bring Everyday essentials include: Backpack Towel Snacks Sunscreen Water JG Uniform Hat If your JG brings their cell phone to the program, it must remain in their bag during throughout the session. Sun Safety We recommend that all JGs bring an SPF 30 or higher water-resistant, reef-safe sunscreen with them every day. Sunscreen should be applied at home before the session. JGs will have time during their session to reapply – typically at the beginning and towards the middle of the program. JGs who burn easily should wear a shirt or rash guard whenever possible. It is also recommended that all JGs wear a hat and sunglasses whenever possible. JG uniform hats and rashguards can be purchased on the JG Online Store. Uniforms Junior Lifeguards are required to arrive in uniform every day. The JG uniform consists of a red JG shirt and navy JG trunks. One shirt and one pair of trunks will be provided with registration . Any additional uniform items can be purchased via the JG Online Store. We have designated Uniform Distribution dates prior to the start of the program. Those dates will be announced in the spring. LEARN MORE Bike Safety JGs who ride their bike to the program are required to wear a helmet. Helmets must be properly secured and buckled while riding. It is required that JGs properly lock up their bikes to the bike racks. Please be sure to discuss bike safety tips with your JG if they will be frequently biking to the program. The link below has important safety tips from the City of Long Beach. BIKE SAFETY Absences All excused absences need to be reported on the JG website. You can fill out the excused absence form on the " ABSENCES " page. We will no longer be accepting absence notifications through email as they get lost in our inbox. ABSENCES

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LBJGs and the Aquarium of the Pacific Aquarium Field Trip Learn More Catalina Trip Learn More Essay Contest Learn More Volunteer! Learn More Our partnership The Long Beach Junior Lifeguard Program and the Aquarium of the Pacific’s collaboration serves as a powerful model for youth engagement in conservation, inspiring young people to take responsibility for their environment while building lifelong connections to the ocean and their communities. JG Spotlight JG Spotlight highlights Junior Lifeguards who go above and beyond in demonstrating our JG LIFE values. Our first spotlight features Arlando, a Junior Lifeguard and VolunTEEN at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Arlando leads by example, engages the public to teach about marine life, and promotes keeping our beaches and oceans clean. We’re proud to showcase his dedication, leadership, and passion for ocean stewardship!

CADET PROGRAM Tryout: April 26th Cadets are junior lifeguards ages 15-17 who demonstrate leadership, strong physical abilities, and are interested in becoming Long Beach lifeguards or pursuing another career in public service. Cadets receive higher levels of training in first aid and rescue techniques, shadow Long Beach lifeguards, and assist instructors as needed. The goal of the Cadet Program is to foster leadership skills while preparing individuals for future careers as lifeguards or other forms of public service. The Cadet program is extremely physically demanding, with high expectations for all participants. Prospective cadets are expected to complete the 1000m distance swim in approximately 20 minutes and the run-swim-run in approximately 10 minutes, depending on tryout conditions. To ensure we provide high-quality training and maintain a focus on professional development, we will be capping the program at a maximum of 15 cadets. This limit will allow us to maintain a high standard of instruction and ensure that every cadet can meet the physical demands of the program. LBUSD students with at least one year of cadet experience are eligible to apply for the LBUSD Cadet Internship program. LBJG Core Values Cadet Memo Cadet Skill Sheets Cadet Interns Cadet Tryouts Sign Up Requirements Be at least 15 years old by July 1st, 2026 Submit a resume Attend a physical tryout and formal interview Complete 1000m open water swim in approximately 20 minutes Complete run-swim-run in approximately 10 minutes No prior training or Junior Guard experience is required Tryouts Date: April 26th Time: 8:30 AM Location: Bayshore Lifeguard Station (5415 E. Ocean Blvd) Interviews will take place on the same day at Tryouts at Junior Lifeguard Headquarters (5374 E Ocean Blvd) Tryout Details Candidates must complete both events within a certain time frame in order to be eligible for the interview process. Distance swim in approximately 20 minutes Run-swim-run in approximately 10 minutes Check-in - 8:30 AM Briefing - 8:50 AM 1,000 yard swim - 9:00 AM Run-Swim-Run - 9:45 AM Debrief - 10:15 AM Interviews - 11 AM - 3:00 PM What to bring Picture ID (student ID works fine) Resume Swimsuit, cap, goggles, towel (arrive ready to swim) Snack/water for between events Change of clothes for Interview 2026 CADET PROGRAM CALENDAR (tbd) Any questions regarding the Cadet Program, please email LBJG@longbeach.gov