Long Beach Fire Department
Junior Lifeguard Program

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 Morning Session Eduardo's group 8:40am Swim Test 9:10am Jump Paige's group 9:00am Swim Test 9:30am Jump Kelly's group 9:20am Swim Test 9:50am Jump Isabell's group 9:40am Swim Test 10:10am Jump Jackson's group 10:00am Swim Test 10:30am Jump Garrett's group 10:20am Swim Test 10:50am Jump Isaac's group 10:40am Swim Test 11:10am Jump Morning Session Edson's group 8:40am Swim Test 9:10am Jump Ella's group 9:00am Swim Test 9:30am Jump Eric's group 9:20am Swim Test 9:50am Jump Brittany's group 9:40am Swim Test 10:10am Jump Vanessa's group 10:00am Swim Test 10:30am Jump Brooke's group 10:20am Swim Test 10:50am Jump Nico's group 10:40am Swim Test 11:10am Jump Afternoon Session Edson's Cadets 12:40pm Swim Test 1:20pm Jump Eduardo's group 1:00pm Swim Test 1:40pm Jump Paige's group 1:40pm Swim Test 2:00pm Jump Kelly's group 1:40pm Swim Test 2:20pm Jump Isabell's group 2:00pm Swim Test 2:40pm Jump Isaac's Group 2:20pm Swim Test 3:00pm Jump Friday, July 11th Afternoon Session Edson's group 12:40pm Swim Test 1:10pm Jump Ella's group 12:40pm Swim Test 1:20pm Jump Jackson's group 1:00pm Swim Test 1:40pm Jump Garrett's group 1:20pm Swim Test 2:00pm Jump Eric's group 1:40pm Swim Test 2:20pm Jump Brittany's Group 2:00pm Swim Test 2:40pm Jump Vanessa's Group 2:20pm Swim Test 3:00pm Jump Brooke's Group 2:40pm Swim Test 3:20pm Jump Nico's Group 3:00pm Swim Test 3:40pm Jump Thursday, July 10th *All times are tentative, there may be situations where we are running ahead or behind schedule. 2025 Pier Jump Time Slots 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.

SUMMER 2026 Registration opens February 2026 Sign up for our email list to stay up-to-date with all of our announcements! EMAIL LIST REGISTRATION 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

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: July 31st **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! TBA 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: More info JGs have exactly one hour to swim as many buoys as they can! Instructors will keep track of their buoys as they swim Parents are welcome to cheer on participants from the sand Prizes will be given to our top fundraisers! 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 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

LONG BEACH IRONGUARD History Since 1975, the Ironguard has been a longstanding tradition in the Long Beach Junior Lifeguard program. Each year, the last week of the junior lifeguard program is marked by this event. Junior guards and their supporters gather at 1st Place and race all the way to the end of the sand at 72nd Place on the Peninsula. The course consists of four miles of running and two miles of swimming. Participants swim around 14 buoys, one at each lifeguard tower, plus all the way around the pier and run the distances in between. A perpetual trophy for the boys & girls top finishers of the A, B and C divisions respectively was created in 2009. Each year, the JG program hosts a hat design contest for the event. The winner has their design displayed on a hat that is rewarded to all participants that finish the event in under 2 hours. Details Date Tuesday, July 28th Start Time 9 AM Sharp! Start Line 1st Place LG Tower Finish Line 72nd Place LG Station Registration Registration begins at 8:00am for all participants. We will have separate lines for A's, B's, and C's. Parents - if you are going to participate with your JG, you do not need to register. Parking Parking for the day will be free in the 72nd Place and Alamitos parking lots. We do not provide transportation between the start and finish. Check our FAQ section below for additional information. FAQs Safety The JG team requests additional resources to ensure our JGs stay safe during the event. If for some reason your child does not finish the Ironguard, they are required to notify a lifeguard on the beach before they leave. For safety reasons we need to make sure every child is accounted for. Finish Line Be sure your child is listening for their time as they cross the finish line! Right after they cross, there will be tables for each age group to report their time. We will have a celebration at the finish line for JG participants where we will provide a free meal! Course Map Frequently asked questions Ironguard How do we get back to the start once the event is over? The JG program does not provide transportation between the finish and the start. If you want to run the course with your child, one option is to find a friend in the program and drop one car off at 72nd Pl and leave one at the start. Or, you can get your child checked in at the start then drive to the pier or finish area to cheer them on! Where is the start line? The Start line is at the 1st Place Lifeguard Tower located south of the Alamitos Beach Parking Lot (380 E Shoreline Dr. 90803). We will have separate start funnels and first buoys for A's, B's, and C's. The C's will be closest to the rocks on the west side, B's will be in the middle, and A's on the east side. Each funnel will be marked with the corresponding age group. If parents are planning to do the event with their JG, we ask that they skip the first buoy. Is there gear transport from the start to the finish? The JG team is all hands-on-deck for coordinating this event and we are unable to offer gear transport from the start to the finish. If your JG has a backpack or other gear - you are responsible for getting it down to 72nd Place! Please be sure to coordinate this ahead of time. Are there any water stations along the event route? There will be water stations at Beach Operations, the east side of the Pier, and the JG station. The water stations are for JGs only! Please do not fill your water bottle at the JG water stations. How will my JG get their Ironguard time? Be sure your child is listening for their time as they cross the finish line. After they cross the finish line there will be tables for each age group where they report their time. Can I participate with my Junior Lifeguard? Yes, parents are welcome to run alongside their junior lifeguards! If you do decide to participate, please be sure to stay out-of-the-way of other JG competitors. Can I run alongside my JG to cheer them on during the event? Many seasoned parents or other supporters will run the course with their child (don't worry you get to rest while they swim). If you do so, it helps to have water, as well as mints or small candies for your child, as the salt water can dry out their mouths. Most importantly: this event is hosted for our junior lifeguards. Be sure to leave space on the hard pack sand for our competitors to run past you. Are their any prizes for the Ironguard? The top 3 male and female finishers in each age group will receive a medal at our annual Awards Ceremony. Those individuals will also have their names added to our perpetual top 3 trophy that was created in 2009. All participants that finish the event under 2 hours will receive an event hat. Any recommendations to prepare my JG for the Ironguard? Our JG instructors spend the whole summer preparing the JGs for this challenging endurance event. Below are a couple of helpful tips for race day: -Applying Vasoline or Aquaphor on your child will help prevent chaffing -Apply sunscreen prior to arriving on the beach -Be sure your JG eats a nutritious breakfast Hat Design Contest Junior Guards who complete the Ironguard event in under 2 hours each summer receive a commemorative hat for their accomplishment. For the last two years, the design on this hat is done by one of our very own Junior Guards and selected by the JG Team and community. Below are all of our submitted designs. Thank you to all those that participated! Shaza (C Group) Lucah (B Group) Stone (B Group) Nico (C Group) Olivia (A Group) Luke (A Group)

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 17. Continue Reading for essay prompt, rules and prizes! 2025 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 2025 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

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

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

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 16:30 minutes Run-swim-run in approximately 6:30 minutes Check-in Briefing 1,000 yard swim Run-Swim-Run Debrief Interviews What to bring Picture ID (student ID works fine) Resume Swimsuit, cap, goggles, towel (arrive ready to swim) Snack/water for between events 2026 CADET PROGRAM CALENDAR (tbd) Any questions regarding the Cadet Program, please email LBJG@longbeach.gov

< 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.