2026 Tryout Information
- ALL Junior Guards, new and returning, will be required to pass the swim test in order to participate in the 2026 program.
- ALL Groms, new and returning, will be required to pass the swim test in order to participate in the 2026 program.
-Any participant moving from Grom to Junior Lifeguards must pass the 100 yard swim test.
-Uniform items will be available to purchase during all tryouts; this is a great opportunity to get anything you need prior to the start of the program. Location of uniform sales will be in the plaza area directly behind the main Lifeguard Tower on the ocean side.
Swim Test Location: Silver Strand State Beach, bayside next to Tower 9.
*You will need to park in one of the parking lots on the ocean side and walk through a pedestrian tunnel to the bayside. The closest parking is the north end of Parking Lot #3. Once you get through the tunnel to the bayside, head north past Crown Cove Aquatic Center to the guarded area of the bay.
Swim Test Information:
The Junior Lifeguard Program is not a “learn-to-swim” school; therefore, prospective students are screened at a tryout test to see if they have the minimum skills to benefit from the Junior Lifeguard Program. The instructors approve a child’s skill level based upon successful completion of the test and on the child’s swimming competence and confidence. Plan to be at tryouts for 20-30minutes.
Swim Test for Junior Lifeguard Program (9-16yrs) :
- Swim 100 yards with following times:
9-11 yrs: under 2:35 minutes
12-13 yrs: under 2:15 minutes
14-16 yrs: under 1:55 minutes
- Tread water for 3 minutes.
- Swim 10 yards underwater.
Swim Test for Grom Program (7-8yrs) :
- 50 yard swim under 1:35 minutes
- Tread water for 3 minutes
- Ability to swim under water
If your child does not pass the swim test, they are welcome to tryout at another date prior to the start of the session in which they are enrolled.
2026 Tryout Dates:
Grom Swim Test Sunday June 7th @ 11 am
Grom Swim Test Sunday June 21st @ 11 am
-Please note Grom tryouts are at a specific time.
JG Swim Test Sunday, May 31st, 9 am – 12 pm
JG Swim Test Sunday, June 7th, 9 am – 12 pm
JG Swim Test Wednesday, June 10th, 12 pm – 3 pm
*JG Swim Test Sunday, July 12th, 9 am – 12 pm
- Please sign up for a tryout date, free of charge. You may arrive anytime during the timeframe listed for the tryout date selected. The swim test will take approximately 20min to complete all 3 components.
-On a case-by-case basis we will allow for a swim test to be scheduled outside of the tryout dates or off-site verification from a coach, if it is for a justifiable reason and that we have staff available. Please email sssbjg@parks.ca.gov if you have a schedule conflict.
- Program coordinator can assist with any tryout changes, please email sssbjg@parks.ca.gov.
- Tryout dates are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances relating to inclement weather, special events, and lifeguard staffing. We will update the website and notify registered tryout participants of any changes.
REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY
- If a participant fails to pass the swim test, a full Enrollment Fee refund will be issued.
- If a participant must cancel for any reason prior to 7 calendar days of the start date of the training a $50.00 Enrollment cancellation fee will apply.
- If a participant must drop out of the training for any reason within 7 calendar days before or after the training has started a 50% Enrollment Fee refund will be issued. For programs less than 7 days in length no refund will be issued after the program has begun.
- If a participant must drop out of the training after 7 calendar days of the start date of the training no refund will be issued.
- If a participant is injured while participating in the training a pro-rated Enrollment Fee refund will be issued based on the number of training days that were started.
- No refund will be issued to any participant that is suspended or expelled from training for disciplinary reasons.
- There is no refund for uniform items.
- There is no refund for the Registration Fee.