South Walton Fire District Junior Lifeguard Program

Honoring our commitment to a safer beach environment in our community, the SWFD Beach Safety Division offers the Junior Lifeguard Program every summer for kids between the ages 9 -16. This annual program provides a fun, dynamic setting where students learn important safety skills to prevent injury and the loss of life in marine environments.

Swim tests will be conducted at Ed Walline Regional Beach Access on May 9th, 16th, and 17th at 9:00am. ​

The SWFD Junior Lifeguard Program is held in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, for children ages 9 - 16 years old to spend three weeks of the summer learning the skills to be confident, open water swimmers and lifesavers. The program began in 2006 and has grown to include more than 200 participants. Foundations and Advanced levels of instruction benefit both new and returning Juniors, with the overall goal to grow South Walton's surf rescue culture and lifeguard recruitment efforts. Topics covered include: open water swimming, CPR and first aid, drowning prevention, rip current identification, beach warning flags, and surf rescue-based workouts with intensive, hands-on training.

June Class: June 2 – 18
July Class: July 7 – 23

Activities will be held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Daily activities will be divided into two sessions as follows:

Morning session: Advanced (Returners only) 9:00 am until 12:00 pm
Afternoon session: Foundations (First Timers & Returners) 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm