Beach Patrol

Lifeguard Advanced First Aid Training

The Ship Bottom Beach Patrol is responsible for the overall safety of its residents and visitors who enjoy the beaches daily. Lifeguards provide public services designed to prevent aquatic emergencies and establish and maintain the highest standards of professional surf and open water lifesaving in an effort to maximize public safety. Beach Patrol personnel are trained in accordance with the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) and Ocean Lifesaving Association (OLA) for Open Water Lifeguards, which includes certification in American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI) Advanced First Aid, and American Red Cross Administering Emergency Oxygen.

Tryouts for new and returning lifeguards are held every season in early June at the St. Francis Aquatic Center Pool in Long Beach Township, NJ. Each participant is required to have the Ship Bottom Beach Patrol Medical or Osteopathic Physician’s Documentation Form completed and signed in order to participate in the swim test. The test is a 500-meter or 550-yard swim in under 10 minutes which must be passed by returning lifeguards to be eligible for seasonal employment and for new lifeguards to be accepted into rookie school. Rookie school runs the last week of June through early July.

GUARDED BEACHES

PRESEASON (Memorial Day Weekend – weekend before Father’s Day): Lifeguards are on duty patrolling the beach from 10 am to 6 pm in the lifeguard truck or All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) on weekends only beginning Memorial Day Weekend to the weekend before Father’s Day.

IN-SEASON (Saturday before Father’s Day – Labor Day): Lifeguards are on duty from 10 am to 6 pm daily starting the Saturday before Father’s Day up to Labor Day at the following locations:

3^rd Street
7^thStreet
15^th Street
20^th Street
23^rd Street
26^th Street
30^th Street
Bay

POSTSEASON (Day after Labor Day – September 30th): Lifeguards are on duty from 10 am to 6 pm daily starting the day after Labor Day through September 30th at the following locations:

20^th Street

Please note: The actual placement of the lifeguard stand can change due to ocean and beach conditions. Therefore, the guarded swim area may be north or south of the listed street.

LIFEGUARD TRYOUTS

Swim Test Dates

June 1, 2024

Last Name A-E 5-6 p.m.

Last Name F-J 6-7 p.m.

Rookies or New 7-8 p.m.

June 8, 2024

Last Name K-R 5-6 p.m.

Last Name S-Z 6-7 p.m.

Rookies or New 7-8 p.m.

LIFEGUARD APPLICANTS

Returning Lifeguards are required to complete the following forms:

Lifeguard Application

Employee Handbook – Print & Sign page 69

Medical or Osteopathic Form

Anti-Workplace Harassment Training Form

New Lifeguards are required to complete the following forms:

Lifeguard Application

Employee Handbook – Print & Sign page 69

Medical or Osteopathic Form

W-4 Form

I-9 Form

Anti-Workplace Harassment Training Form

Watch these videos prior to signing the Anti-Workplace Harassment Training Form.

No Tolerance (Employment Practices)

The Rights and Duties of an Employee in Local Government

Employment Practices Liability

For more information, please contact Keith Stokes, Lifeguard Chief/Beach Supervisor by email or call (808) 382-7052.

Drug Testing Dates For Returning Lifeguards Only

Drug Testing Dates for Returning Lifeguards Only

May 18, 2024 from 10 am to 12 pm at Lifeguard Headquarters
May 25, 2024 from 10 am to 12 pm at Lifeguard Headquarters
June 1, 2024 from 10 am to 12 pm at Lifeguard Headquarters
June 8, 2024 from 10 am to 12 pm at Lifeguard Headquarters

Lifeguard In Training Program

Application Information: 2024 SBBP LIT APPLICATION

The Ship Bottom Lifeguard in Training (LIT) program introduces children ages 10-15 to the basic responsibilities and basic rescue techniques used by professional lifeguards. LIT instructors aim to provide an educational and fun environment, focusing on the development of water safety skills, physical fitness, sportsmanship, teamwork, and positive self-esteem. Program applicants must know how to swim and must be comfortable swimming longer distances in the ocean. Applicants should also be comfortable performing basic exercises and running up to 1 mile in the sand.

Application Information:

***Applications will go live on Saturday, January 27th, at 9am. You will only be able to access the applications on the SBBP LIT website through this link***

The deadline for 2024 LIT applications is Friday, May 10th, 2024 at 11:59PM. Please note that the program will likely fill before the deadline and some applicants may be placed on a waiting list, especially for morning sessions.

A completed application includes the following items:

2024 Application Form (must be completed online via Google Form through the LIT Website)
Proof of Health Insurance (*photocopy of insurance card must be emailed to LIT Program Director Dan Duffy at sbbplit@gmail.com)
NEW FOR SUMMER 2024: Swim video for new applicants. **Note: the swim video is ONLY for new applicants OR anyone who did not participate in the 2023 season; all returning LITs from the 2023 season are exempt from submitting a video.** Submit the video by emailing it to sbbplit@gmail.com.

All new applicants must submit a video of themselves doing the following:

Introducing themselves by stating their name and why they want to be a part of the Ship Bottom Beach Patrol Lifeguard in Training Program (one minute max).
Starting in the deep end of the pool, swim 4 lengths of a 25 yard pool (total of 100 yards) without stopping (note that there isn’t a time limit; see notes below about what the swimmer must demonstrate).
Treading water for one minute in the deep end of the pool after the completion of the 100 yard swim.

In the swim video, the applicant must demonstrate the following abilities:

Swim with a front crawl/freestyle stroke.
Swim continuously without stopping to grab onto the wall, touch the pool bottom, or hold onto the lane line. Applicants may touch the wall at the completion of each lap (no flipturn required), but cannot hold on to the wall to catch their breath.
Swim with their face in the water and ability to breathe without stopping their swim cadence.
Swim straight down the lane.

If your child is unable to perform any of the above requirements, they will not be invited to participate in the Lifeguard in Training program.

The swim video must be submitted via email to sbbplit@gmail.com by 11:59 PM on Friday, May 10th, 2024. Note that once you have completed the application and insurance information, your application to the program will be considered “pending” until the submission of the swim video.

*Applications that are incomplete or missing information by the stated deadline will NOT be accepted. Applications will NOT be accepted in person or via mail.*

You will receive a confirmation letter and payment slip via email once your application is processed. You must print the payment slip and mail it to Borough Hall along with your payment in order to confirm your child’s enrollment in the program. Payments will not be accepted without the payment slip. Registered participants will then receive a Welcome Letter via email during the week of June 3rd.

Age Group, Session, and Fee Information:

The 10-12 Year Old Sessions: $150

Applicants MUST be at least 10 years of age by the start of the program in order to be eligible to participate
The 10-12 year old age group (Tuesday, Thursday) will run from Tuesday, July 2nd through Thursday August 8th. Your child will be assigned to either the morning (10:30 am – 12:30 pm) or the afternoon (2:00 pm – 4:00 pm) session.

The 13-15 Year Old Sessions: $225

Applicants MUST be at least 13 years of age by the start of the program in order to be eligible to participate.
The 13-15 year old age group (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) will run from Monday, July 1st through Friday, August 9th. Your child will be assigned to either the morning (10:30 am – 12:30 pm) or the afternoon (2:00 pm – 4:00 pm) session.

Important Program Information:

Please note that the LIT Program is a NON-REFUNDABLE program.
Please be mindful that we try our best to accommodate preferences for specific sessions, but space is limited and session assignments are made on a first come first served basis. By submitting an application, you acknowledge that your child may be placed in either session (morning or afternoon).
Application items (insurance information and swim video) will only be accepted via email. You will receive an email with a confirmation letter once your application is received and processed. The letter will contain payment instructions to confirm your child’s enrollment in the program.
Throughout the duration of the program, each patrol on the island hosts a tournament which LITs are encouraged to compete in. Tournaments are a great way for our LITs to refine their skills on the beach and in the water, and to meet kids on other patrols who are also involved in the LIT program. Note that on tournament dates, we WILL NOT hold our regular LIT sessions, as tournaments take up a good portion of the day. Tournaments are in no way a mandatory part of the LIT experience, but all kids are encouraged to compete so that they can enjoy the experience of these fun events. Information about various tournaments will be sent out at the beginning of the season. Note that most tournaments may cost extra (typically $20-25 each tournament) and the fee is covered by each individual competitor.

Please contact the LIT Program Director Dan Duffy by email (sbbplit@gmail.com) with any questions.