T
he beach life is one filled with playing with
friends and family along the shores, building
sandcastles, and frolicking in the waves.
There are a few special people who make
this carefree lifestyle possible; they are the Lifeguards.
Aspiring lifeguards have been participating in the
Junior Lifeguard Program at Pensacola Beach since
2007. This incredible program offers youth ages 13
through 15 the opportunity to become a coveted Junior
Lifeguard. The program typically has 6-8 boys and girls
who are completely focused on learning lifeguarding
techniques over the course of a two-week period. Young
teens attend class Monday through Friday with two-
week sessions held in both June and July where they
learn what it takes to be a “Guardian of the Gulf”.
The summer program teaches youth a wide variety
of important abilities including medical skills like
Basic Life Support and CPR. They also learn a wide
range of lifeguarding skills including surf rescue and
how to use varied equipment. In addition to these
useful skills they are also taught all about the beach
environment including weather, wildlife, surf, and
currents. The program has grown and evolved over the
years. “They learn how to watch the water, how to spot
rip currents, and all the basic skills needed to become a
Pensacola Beach Lifeguard,” said Alexander Johnson,
Water Safety Deputy Chief of the Escambia County
Public Safety
Department.
He described,
“Our Junior
Lifeguard
Program has
two main
goals: One
is to spread
beach safety
knowledge,
and second is
to train and
recruit future
Pensacola
Beach
Lifeguards.
Approximately
15 of our lifeguards over the years were former Junior
Lifeguards.” The classes take place on Pensacola Beach,
primarily at the Casino Beach location.
The program offers an excellent alternative summer
camp that promotes physical fitness, training in beach
safety, and education on the historical, ecological,
and economic significance of Pensacola Beach. The
Escambia County Public Safety Department has had
great success with putting approximately 100 kids
through the program over the years. “All of the
100 students learned beach safety and medical
skills that will benefit them, their families,
and communities,” explained Alexander, “It
has been an honor to have the opportunity
to teach and train young members of our
community, to see them grow up and become
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards, and then go on
to successful careers.” Several of the original
Junior Lifeguards from 2007 and 2008 are
now in medical school and physician assistant
school, and they cite their passion for medicine
as beginning with the medical knowledge they
learned as a Junior Lifeguard and Pensacola
Beach Lifeguard. The Pensacola Beach Junior
Lifeguard Program teaches youth to respect,
and not fear, the Gulf, rip currents, and waves.
This is the mindset that we should all adopt
when hitting the beach this summer. Let’s
keep it safe and have some fun in the sun!
story by
Courtney Murray
| photos provided by
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards
Spa & Resort Profile
Junior Lifeguards
24 | VIPPensacola.com
24 Profile - Junior Lifeguards.indd 1
7/25/18 1:54 PM