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. The goal of the program is to educate young people in ocean and beach safety while building self-confidence and appreciation for the ocean environment.
Registration
Registration for Summer 2019 will begin on Monday, February 25. 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 24 - July 5 (No Class July 4)
Session 2: July 8 - July 19
Session 3: July 22 - August 2
Session 4: August 5 - August 16
Fee: $220- Resident $230 - 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 3 (Wednesday)
July 18
August 1
August 15
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.
All swim tests will only be offered during the spring. Adequately preparing for the swim test is highly encouraged. Most fails occur on the 100 yard swim. Retest can only be taken on offered dates, March 23, April 28 and May 5. Participants can only test 2 times per day. If your child does not pass the swim test, you will be offered a refund.
Swim Test Dates and Times:
Click on times to register
March 23: 12:00p - 1:00p; 1:00p - 2:00p; 2:00p - 3:00p; 3:00p - 4:00p
April 28: 12:00p - 1:00p; 1:00p - 2:00p; 2:00p - 3:00p; 3:00p - 4:00p
May 5: 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 Encinitas 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 onsite at the designated swim test location, on the first day of each session, or online. The boys uniform consists of navy blue board shorts while the girls are required to wear a navy blue swimsuit. All attire must be athletic in nature 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: ejl2019
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 15-17 and have had at least one-year experience in the junior lifeguards program. Please send an email to the Junior Lifeguard Coordinator at [email protected] with your name and contact information and desired session date(s). Please also include in your email if you prefer morning session or afternoon session or both sessions.
You will also need to register online. Click here to register.
On the first day of your session you will meet with the assigned Junior Lifegaurd Instructor at 8:00am. 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.
Aide Requirement
Aides will be required to bring their own set of fins. Please label the fins with your initials before the first day. Recommended fins are Duck Feet, Viper, and DaFin. Our uniform vendor will sell pairs of DaFin at a discounted rate on their website or on the first day of each JG session. To order them online, please follow the directions on our website: http://encinitasjg.com/uniforms.php
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