Program Information 
The City of Encinitas Junior Lifeguard program is designed for boys and girls ages 9-17 to enhance their ocean skills with two-week sessions offered throughout the summer. By combining education with recreation, participants learn about the ocean environment, gain professional lifesaving skills, and enjoy swimming, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, snorkeling and skills competitions. Our goal is to educate young people in ocean and beach safety while building self-confidence and appreciation for the ocean environment.
Registration
Registration for Summer 2018 will begin on Tuesday, February 20. All registration is handled through the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department. Please click here to register. Swim tests are required for all first time Encinitas participants.
Session Details
Morning sessions run from 9:00am - 12:00pm; Afternoon sessions run from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Competition Day is the second Thursday of each session.
Session 1: June 25 - July 6 (No Class July 4)
Session 2: July 9 - July 20
Session 3: July 23 - August 3
Session 4: August 6 - August 17
Fee: $207.50 - Resident $217.50 - Non Resident
Competition Day
Competition day is a great opportunity for participants in both the morning and afternoon sessions to compete against each other. The in-house competitions are held at Moonlight Beach on the second Thursday of each session. The schedule for both sessions is 9:00am to 1:30pm. The competition days are as follows:
July 5
July 19
August 2
August 16
Swim Tests
All first time Encinitas Junior Lifeguard participants are required to take and pass a swim test administered by the Marine Safety Division. The swim test cannot be waived and referrals from swim coaches or other programs will not be accepted. Swim tests are held at the Pardee Aquatics Center located at the Solana Beach Boys and Girls Club at 533 Lomas Santa Fe Dr, Solana Beach, CA 92075.
Swim Test Dates and Times:
Click on times to register
June 23: 12:00p - 1:00p; 1:00p - 2:00p; 2:00p - 3:00p; 3:00p - 4:00p
July 7: 12:00p - 1:00p; 1:00p - 2:00p; 2:00p - 3:00p; 3:00p - 4:00p
July 21: 12:00p - 1:00p; 1:00p - 2:00p; 2:00p - 3:00p; 3:00p - 4:00p
August 4: 12:00p - 1:00p; 1:00p - 2:00p; 2:00p - 3:00p; 3:00p - 4:00p
Swim Test Requirements:
Underwater Swim 5 Yards Ages :ALL
Tread Water 3:00 Minutes Ages: ALL
100 Yard Swim 2:45 Minutes Ages: 9-10
100 Yard Swim 2:35 Minutes Ages 11-12
100 Yard Swim 2:25 Minutes Ages 13-17
Uniforms
All junior lifeguard participants are required to wear a uniform in order to be identifiable to instructors on the beach and to build team camaraderie. Uniforms can be purchased at each swim test, on the first day of the session, or online. The boys uniform consists of navy blue board shorts while the girls have the option of either a navy blue two-piece suit or one-piece suit. All uniforms must be appropriate and not revealing.
1. Log on to www.originalwatermen.com
2. Click “My Account, then Create an Account” then input your personal information and password.
3. Lifeguard Association special password: ejl2018
4. Click Submit
5. Click the RED box at the top of the screen that says “Click here to shop ENCINITAS JUNIOR LIFEGUARD Catalog”
Junior Lifeguard Aide
If you are interested in becoming a junior lifeguard aide for the summer you must be between the ages of 14-17 and have had at least one-year experience in the junior lifeguards program. To apply for a position as an aide you will need to send a letter of intent (via email: e[email protected]cityofencinitas.org) to the Junior Lifeguard Coordinator. The letter must include:
- Name and contact information(including email address)
- Why you are interested in volunteering as an aide
- Background and experience
- Minimum of one reference (Name, Phone # or Email, and Relation)
- Desired session
- Register for desired session at www.encinitasparksandrec.com
On the first day of your session at 8:00am you will meet with the assigned Junior Lifegaurd Instructor. You will be required to pass a Run-Swim-Run test that consists of a quarter mile run, 500 yard swim, and another quarter mile run.
Drop Off/Pick Up
Drop off and pick up take place in the Moonlight Beach Parking Lot. Please do not block traffic, illegally park, or block emergency access while dropping off your child.
Junior Lifeguard Parent Handbook