General Information | Newport Beach Fire Department Junior Lifeguard Program | City of Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Program

Program Dates & Times

Age Eligibility

For youth ages 9 to 15.
Ages groups and eligibility are based on participant's age on June 30 of the current year's program.
Age deadlines are firm.
JGs are divided into four age divisions (described below).
Age Groups Divisions (based on participant age on June 30, 2027):
- 9 years old = Division D
- 10 or 11 years old = Division C
- 12 or 13 years old = Division B
- 14 or 15 years old = Division A

Program Cost

NEW 2027 Program Fee: $907
What does the cost include?
How & when do I make payment? Payment is made through your NBJG account after all March swim tests are complete.
See registration payment windows here.
Participant must pass the current year's NBJG swim test to be eligible for payment.

Swim Test

ALL participants must pass the NBJG swim test each year.
Swim tests are in March.
Swim test includes a 100-yard freestyle pool swim (4 laps) and a 3-minute tread water test.
Reservations are required and are made through your NBJG account beginning February 1, 2027.
Swim times from other programs and/or coaches are not allowed as a means of qualification.
Instructor groups within each age division are developed based on NBJG swim test times.
Review the swim test requirements.

Program Location

The B, C, & D Age Divisions participate at the Junior Lifeguard Headquarters location at 901 East Oceanfront, near the Balboa Pier.
The A Age Division homebase is Tower 20 by the Newport Pier; however, the meeting location varies throughout summer. The A Division calendar is released at the start of summer.

Important Dates

January 14, 2027: Create or update your NBJG account.
February 1, 2027 at 8:00 a.m.: Reserve a swim test time in your NBJG account.
March: Swim test tryouts. See swim test page for additional details.
April: Process payment. Review how to process payment.
May 15: Refund request deadline. See cancellation policy.

Other questions?