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.

JG TRYOUTS TRYOUT SIGN-UPS Who needs to tryout? New Junior Guards are required to pass a swim test before they can register for the program. JGs who took a year off are not considered returning and must re-test. If your child participated in summer 2025, they are not required to try out. There is no fee to take a swim test. What is the tryout swim? All age groups must complete 100 yards under 2 minutes (100 meters under 2:13.2). All swim tests must be supervised by a member of our staff. The swim test is a safety standard and there are no exceptions. If your child may need some extra help before attempting the swim test, we recommend looking into our FREE JG Prep Class. When can my child tryout? We host 8 tryouts throughout the Spring. Hopeful JGs can check in anytime from 8 AM-12 PM. Once assigned a lane, participants will be given 3 attempts to pass the tryout, but are more than welcome to attend multiple tryouts if they don't pass the first time. Use the links below to sign-up for a tryout! 2026 TRYOUT DATES Belmont Plaza Pool 4320 E Olympic Plaza, Long Beach, CA 90803 Saturday, February 7th Saturday, March 7th Saturday, April 18th Saturday, May 9th Silverado Park Pool 1540 W 32nd St, Long Beach CA 90810 Saturday, February 21st Saturday, March 21st Saturday, April 25th Saturday, May 23rd No events at the moment

Aquarium Field Trip Address 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802 Hours 9:00 PM - 12:00PM Morning Session 1:00PM - 4:00PM Afternoon Session What to Bring All JGs MUST wear their JG uniform on Aquarium Day. This includes the red shirt and blue trunks. We ask that all JGs arrive with just their uniform and NO backpacks. There will be no place to store backpacks as we tour the Aquarium and chaperones will not be responsible for JG items. JGs are allowed to bring water bottles and jackets, but it is the JGs responsibility to carry and keep track of those items throughout the 3 hours. Groups will not be buying food or stopping by the souvenir shop so money is not necessary. Drop off / Pick Up Drop-off and pick-up will be at the round-a-bout at the front of the Aquarium. For the best traffic management, drivers will need to use Golden Shore to approach from the back. To do so, you can follow these steps: Head SOUTH on Magnolia Ave Continue onto Queens Way Use the RIGHT LANE to take Golden Shore ramp to Catalina Landing Turn LEFT onto Golden Shore Turn RIGHT to stay on Golden Shore Enter the Traffic Circle WHERE TO GO After drop off, your JG will meet their instructor at the grass to the north of the Aquarium entrance. Picture for reference is below. WHAT TO EXPECT Instructors will be splitting their groups into groups of 10 before entering the Aquarium. Each group of 10 will be lead by a chaperone. It is imperative that all JGs arrive ON TIME so they can be grouped together with their chaperone. All JGs will start the day with a presentation from the Aquarium. After the brief presentation, they will tour the Aquarium in their chaperone groups. Touring the Aquarium is an amazing opportunity for the JG program! We ask that you please talk to your JGs about being good guests during the field trip.

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 Thursday, July 9th and Friday, July 10th 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 Garrett / Eric's group 9:00am Swim Test 9:30am Jump Julia's group 9:20am Swim Test 9:50am Jump Gage's group 9:40am Swim Test 10:10am Jump Kelly's group 10:00am Swim Test 10:30am Jump Brittany's group 10:20am Swim Test 10:50am Jump Vanessa's group 10:40am Swim Test 11:10am Jump Morning Session Ian's group 8:40am Swim Test 9:10am Jump Isabell's group 9:00am Swim Test 9:30am Jump Paige's group 9:20am Swim Test 9:50am Jump Bridget's group 9:40am Swim Test 10:10am Jump Kaylee's group 10:00am Swim Test 10:30am Jump Marley's group 10:20am Swim Test 10:50am Jump Brooke's group 10:40am Swim Test 11:10am Jump Nico's Group 11:00am Swim Test 11:30 Jump Afternoon Session Eduardo's Group 12:40pm Swim Test 1:20pm Jump Julia's group 1:00pm Swim Test 1:40pm Jump Gage's group 1:20pm Swim Test 2:00pm Jump Kelly'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 Friday, July 10th Afternoon Session Ian's Cadets group 12:40pm Swim Test 1:10pm Jump Isabell's group 12:40pm Swim Test 1:20pm Jump Paige's group 1:00pm Swim Test 1:40pm Jump Bridget's group 1:20pm Swim Test 2:00pm Jump Garret / Eric's group 1:40pm Swim Test 2:20pm Jump Kaylee's Group 2:00pm Swim Test 2:40pm Jump Brooke's Group 2:20pm Swim Test 3:00pm Jump Nico's Group 2:40pm Swim Test 3:20pm Jump Marley's Group 3:00pm Swim Test 3:40pm Jump Thursday, July 9th *All times are tentative, there may be situations where we are running ahead or behind schedule. 2026 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.

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! Maya (A Group) Henele (A Group) Luca (C Group) Ayla (C Group) Lane (C Group) Eli (B Group) Aleina (C Group) Aiden (B Group) Flynt (C Group) Lucah (B Group)

Volunteer at the Aquarium The Aquarium of the Pacific has volunteer opportunities for people of all ages! See how you can get involved in our community! Learn More Families Volunteer opportunities for our JG's and their families! Learn More youth JG's ages 11+ can volunteer and earn service hours, gain experience, and meet new friends! Learn More VOLUNTEENS The VolunTEEN program is for A's interested in discovering more about ocean science, leadership, and conservation. Learn More