Are There Beach Lifeguards?

Beach Information

Spring2014-SWFD-Lifeguards-3
Are There Beach Lifeguards?

Yes… Okaloosa, Walton, and Santa Rosa Counties all provide seasonal lifeguards.

Okaloosa County Beach Lifeguards

All Beach Safety Lifeguards are academy trained to the Advanced level of the United States Lifesaving Association’s open water standard and are medically trained as First Responders in accordance with the U.S.D.O.T. & N.R.E.M.T national standard curriculum.

Seasonal operations begin on the second Saturday in March and end October 31st each year.

Hours of operation:
*March-May: 9 am-6 pm,
*May (Memorial day) – September (Labor Day): 9 am-8 pm
*September – October 31st: 9 am-6 pm
*November – February (Limited patrols & response): 10 am-4 pm

“Ocean West” is the name for our “Command” tower. This tower is a fixed structure on the Okaloosa Island Pier. The pier divides zone 1 and zone 2 which historically are our most populated areas.

Walton County – South Walton

Seasonal operations begin on the second Saturday in March and end October 31st each year. Beach Lifeguards must undergo 88 hours of training. These hours are comprised of 40 hours of Emergency Medical Responder training and 48 hours of SWFD orientation/USLA Academy.
Hours of operation:  9 am-6 pm

Lifeguard towers are located at the following regional access points:

  • Inlet Beach
  • Santa Clara Beach Access
  • Van Ness Butler Beach Access
  • Blue Mountain Beach
  • Gulfview Heights Beach Access
  • Ed Walline Park
  • Dune Allen
  • Miramar Beach (2)

Santa Rosa County

Seasonal operations begin on the second Saturday in March and end October 31st each year.
Hours of Operation:  9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Lifeguard season on Navarre Beach begins in March. Initially, four lifeguards will be on duty to monitor the number of swimmers at the public gulf-side beach areas, manning the one-to- two towers with the greatest need. As the number of swimmers increase, lifeguard staffing will increase to 10 or 12 providing coverage seven days a week at all four lifeguard towers. Lifeguard season ends on the last Sunday in October.

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Information posted October 2015.

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