Tryout Information

 2025 Tryout Information 

 *If you are a NEW Silver Strand JG you must tryout and pass the swim test in order to be in the program. 

*Returning JG’s do not need to tryout.

*Grom Progam will require a swim test each year. 

*Any participant moving from Grom to Junior Lifeguards must pass the 100 yard swim test.

*You can purchase uniform items at any of our scheduled tryout dates. Location of uniform sales will be in the plaza area directly behind the main Lifeguard Tower. 

 

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.

  *Any participant moving from Grom to Junior Lifeguards must pass the 100 yard swim test.

Swim Test for Grom Program (7-9yrs) :

  • 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. 

 

Tryout Dates:

Tryout #1: Saturday, June 7th; 9am-2pm

Tryout #2: Sunday, June 8th; 9am-2pm

Tryout #3: Wednesday, June 18th; 12pm-5pm

Tryout #4: Monday, July 14th *Session 2 only; 9am-2pm

- Please sign up for a tryout date, free of charge. You may arrive anytime during the window of time 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, 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. 

 

  • NEW participants please click on a Tryout listed above to register (free of charge).
  • After you are registered for a Tryout, plan to arrive anytime during the hours listed on that day. We will have separate tests for Grom and JG programs at all tryouts. 
  • 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. 
  • If you need to change your registered tryout date please email sssbjg@parks.ca.gov. We will be able to change it for you. 

 

 

REFUND AND CANCELATION 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.