Santa Cruz Junior Lifeguards

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PROGRAM DATES FOR SUMMER 2024:

Session 1: June 10 - July 5
Session 2: July 8- August 2

Little Guards: 6 - 8 years old
Junior Guard C's: 9 - 11 years old
JG B's: 12 - 13 years old
JG A's: 14 - 15 years old
JG AA's: 16 - 17 years old

INSTRUCTION AND SUPERVISION:
Little Guards and Junior Guards are instructed by qualified ocean lifeguards. All of the instructors have successfully completed an intensive United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) certified Open Water Lifeguarding training course and most have worked in the field as lifeguards for more than one year. Instructors are also certified in emergency first aid and CPR for the professional rescuer. Many of the instructors are graduates of the Junior Guards program and have teaching and interpretation experience with children. The program is held on Cowell Beach adjacent to the Municipal Wharf in one of the calmest areas of ocean in Santa Cruz. During the program, Junior Guards are also always under the watchful eye of on-duty beach lifeguards in addition to the supervision provided.

Beach Safety Information 

JUNIOR LIFEGUARD REQUIREMENTS:
The Junior Guard program requires participants to be able and willing swim a minimum of 200 to 300 yards in the open ocean, run a minimum of 500 yards and participate in paddling races and other beach competitions daily. NO REFUNDS less than 4 business days before class starts. C's - must swim unassisted around the 1st buoy on the first day. B's - must swim unassisted around 2nd buoy on the 1st day. A's & AA's - must swim unassisted around 3rd buoy on the 1st day. The Little Guard program requires daily participation in entering and exiting through ocean waves and conditioning activities including calisthenics, running and beach games.

RECOMMENDED PREPARATION AND SKILL LEVELS: 
Little Guards: Practice swimming 25 - 50 yards continuously and treading water for 1 - 2 minutes. Red Cross Swimmer Level 4 and up is strongly encouraged. 

Junior Guards: Practice swimming a minimum of 200 - 500 yards continuously (8 - 20 laps) and treading water for 3 - 5 minutes. Red Cross Swimmer Level 6 and up is strongly recommended. 

JOIN THE JG BOOSTER CLUB follow their Instagram account or website to get information about upcoming JG events, important dates, competitions, picture days, etc.
Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/scjgboosters/
Website: https://scjgboosters.com/

Scholarship information: Visit our Scholarship Page for more information and information on how to apply.

Donate online to the JG Boosters (FOPAR). Jr. Guard Boosters are parent volunteers who fundraise to support the Santa Cruz Jr. Lifeguard program. Donations provide scholarships, equipment, supplies,  competition snacks, and support program events.

JG FORMS AND HANDBOOK:
JG Parent Handbook
JG Behavior Agreement
JG Parent Code of Conduct
Competition Philosophy
Session 1 Picture Day form
Capitola Comp - JGs Info Packet
Capitola Comp - LGs Info Packet

JG USLA Membership included in JG registration - do not renew directly through USLA

FUNDRAISER DISCLAIMER:
Periodically community groups and individuals advertise fundraising events for the benefit of Santa Cruz Junior Lifeguards (“Junior Guards”).  Please note that the only such organization which has an affiliation with, and which reports to, the City of Santa Cruz is Friends of Parks and Recreation Junior Guard Boosters, (“FOPAR”).  No other community-based or individual fundraisers are affiliated with, or report to, the City.   Accordingly the City does not warrant that the proceeds, or any given percentage of the proceeds, raised by non-FOPAR fundraising events will ultimately be donated to the Junior Guards program.  In addition, it should be noted that a child’s participation in, or eligibility for, the Junior Guard program is never predicated on his or her parents’ or guardians’ patronage of any such fundraising event, including fundraising events conducted by FOPAR.