The Lifeguard Department serves the community with a wide variety of community service programs. The Department staffs permanent and seasonal lifeguards. Lifeguards patrol and oversee 2.5 miles of beach. Each day, lifeguards establish and maintain safe swimming and surfing areas.  They warn visitors of dangerous swimming areas, rip currents, and unstable cliffs and bluffs.   Environmental conditions are constantly monitored and weather and surf are updated and posted throughout the day. Lifeguard training is extensive. While keeping physically fit is important, the Lifeguards are highly trained in several areas. Qualifications include being Emergency Medical Technicians with advanced airway and defibrillator accreditation.  The Department operates year-round cliff, swift water and scuba rescue teams.  The Department also cross trains for mutual aid responses with the Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies (ASTREA) and the United States Coast Guard.

The Lifeguard Department offers a large Junior Lifeguard Program for ages 9 to 17. The program is designed to give each participant an opportunity to experience the beaches and ocean in a unique way.  Groups are exposed to activities including water safety, first aid, mock rescues, body surfing, paddling and ocean swimming.  The program is designed to help promote self-esteem, sportsmanship, environmental concerns and a healthy respect and familiarity with the ocean – all of which is important for the Junior Lifeguard interested in working, someday, as a certified Ocean Lifeguard. For more information, please contact view the Turtleguard, Inc. website or e-mail turtle@delmarjg.com. 

The Del Mar beach has very strong rip-currents and several inshore holes. The Department averages 1400 water related rescues and 1100 medical aids per year.

Mission

Our highly trained and motivated team strives to maintain and enhance our reputation for excellence in safety, cleanliness, and use of our recreational resources.