The Ship Bottom Beach Patrol is responsible for the overall safety of our residents and visitors who enjoy the beaches daily. Lifeguards provide public education designed to prevent aquatic emergencies and establish and maintain the highest standards of professional surf and open water life saving in an effort to maximize public safety. Beach Patrol personnel are trained in accordance with the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) guidelines for Open Water Lifeguards, which includes certification in American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, and Administering Emergency Oxygen.
The Ship Bottom Beach Patrol holds tryouts for new and returning lifeguards every season in early June at the St. Francis Aquatic Center Pool. Each participant is required to have a note from a medical or osteopathic physician stating they are in good health and can perform all the duties of an open water lifeguard in order to take the test. The test is a 500 meter swim in under 10 minutes which must be passed for returning lifeguards to be eligible for employment and for new lifeguards to be accepted into rookie school.
Beach Patrol personnel start patrolling the beaches on weekends only beginning Memorial Day Weekend up to the first day of the season June 17th to September 30th. While on patrol using All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), lifeguards are ever vigilant for beach goers’ care educating the public on beach awareness and ocean safety.
GUARDED BEACHES
IN-SEASON: lifeguards are on duty from 10 AM to 6 PM daily 3rd Street, 7th Street, 15th Street, 20th Street, 23rd Street, 26th Street, 30th Street. (the actual placement of the lifeguard stands vary due to beach conditions. Therefore, the guarded swim areas may be more to the north or more to the south of the listed street.)
**POST SEASON (Day After Labor Day to September 30th) the only guarded beach is 20th Street.**
LIFEGUARD TRYOUTS
New and returning lifeguards must complete the forms listed in the Lifeguard Applicants section prior to the swim test and bring with them to their assigned testing slot. Any applicant not having these forms will not be permitted to take the test.
Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the St. Francis Aquatic Center Pool
Last name A-C—–5-6 p.m.
Last name D-J——6-7 p.m.
Rookies or New—-7-8 p.m.
Saturday, June 10, 2023 at the St. Francis Aquatic Center Pool
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:
Anti-Workplace Harassment Training Form
New Lifeguards are required to complete the following forms:
Anti-Workplace Harassment Training Form
Watch these videos prior to signing the Anti-Workplace Harassment Training Form.
No Tolerance (Employment Practices)
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
• Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lifeguard HQ
• Saturday, May 27, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lifeguard HQ
• Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lifeguard HQ
• Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lifeguard HQ
Lifeguard In Training Program
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, 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 short runs in the sand, including a 1 mile beach run.
Deadline for 2023 LIT application is June 1, 2023. Please note that the program will likely fill before the deadline and some may be placed on a waiting list, especially for morning sessions.
A completed application includes the following items:
● 2023 Application Form (must be completed online in one sitting)
● Proof of Health Insurance (*photocopy of insurance card must be emailed to Nora Covert and Katie Farrell, LIT Directors, at sbbplit@gmail.com
*Applications that are incomplete or missing information 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 6th.
Age Group, Session, and Fee Information
The 10-12 Year Old Sessions
- 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 Thursday, July 6th through Tuesday, August 1st. The end of the year party will be on Tuesday, August 1st. 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 10-12 year old program fee is $100.
The 13-15 Year Old Sessions:
The 13-15 year old age group (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) will run from Monday, July 3rd through Monday, July 31st. The end of the year party will be on Monday, July 31st. 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 program fee is $125.
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 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.
Please contact LIT Program Directors Nora Covert and Katie Farrell by email (sbbplit@gmail.com) with any questions.
Instagram: @sbbp_lit
Ship Bottom Beach Badge Checker
Beach Badge Checker Application (completed applications must be mailed to the Borough of Ship Bottom Attention: Keith Stokes)
Anti-Workplace Harassment Training Form
Watch these videos prior to signing the Anti-Workplace Harassment Training Form.
No Tolerance (Employment Practices)
Lifeguard Chief/Beach Supervisor