Belmar Junior Lifeguards – The Next Generation of Jersey Shore Lifeguards
Junior Lifeguard programs have been around for decades. Almost every beach town has one from the East Coast to the West Coast. Today, we have a guest blog by Nicolette Contella of Belmar Junior Lifeguards.
About our Program
Belmar Junior Lifeguards, located in Belmar, New Jersey, has humble beginnings. It started with a few local kids who wanted something to do while they were off from school. They were already beach bums, so it was just a matter of teaching them skills about lifeguarding, while having fun. Belmar Junior Lifeguards has grown since the 90s, but our mission and values have remained the same.
We aim to create the next generation of Jersey Shore Lifeguards. If we start teaching children about the ocean and beach when they are six years old, they will be highly desirable lifeguards by the time they turn 17.
Our program runs during July. We compete in five local tournaments around Monmouth County, NJ, and we always wear our Watermen gear! We also will participate in USLA Mid-Atlantic Regionals and USLA Nationals.
Some original Belmar Junior Lifeguard photos:
Creating All Around Watermen and Waterwomen
Many of our Junior Lifeguards have grown up in towns where the beach was a short bike ride or walked away. We are grateful for our little slice of heaven.
A key pillar of our program is prevention and education. We want every child who comes through our program to recognize a rip current in the ocean, understand what they should do if someone is in distress, etc., and be able to tell a friend about it. Our curriculum includes personal safety, surf conditions, and hazards, sun safety (thanks Block the Blaze!), beach safety education and prevention, first aid, and lifeguarding tournament activities.
The Magic of Junior Lifeguards
I can tell you that the junior lifeguard that arrives on day one is not the same junior lifeguard that arrives on the last day. Our junior lifeguards have become more confident in themselves, have learned critical thinking skills, learned to work with others, and have become outstanding citizens of our community.
Our program is so magical that people never want to leave. Once our junior lifeguards become 17, they will join our Beach Patrol and/or become coaches to give back to the program. Our alums are working in practically every field: serving our country in the armed forces, working on Wall Street, working in healthcare, working in education, crafting their trade, protecting our communities, and so much more. The skills that are taught in Belmar Junior Lifeguards are never forgotten.
We would love to connect with you! Follow us on Instagram @belmarjrguards
To Shop Watermen Brand Junior Lifeguard products, click here
