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Op-Ed National Beach Safety Week
By Gustavo Avila
President of the CSLSA
The Memorial Day holiday signals to many beachgoers the unofficial start of summer. It is a time when millions flock to our local beaches during the three-day weekend.
The ocean is one of the most unpredictable forces in nature, so to inform and remind beachgoers to use caution in the aquatic environment, the California Surf Life Saving Association (CSLSA) participates in National Beach Safety Week which begins the Monday before Memorial Day on May 19, and ends seven days later on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.
It serves as a critical initiative to educate the beach-going public on the potential hazards present in coastal environments. This awareness campaign, championed by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) and supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), aims to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities at the beach by promoting informed decision-making and safety-conscious behavior among beachgoers.
Despite recent reductions in federal funding and a seemingly perpetual lifeguard shortage as a result of low wages and other factors, thousands of lives are saved annually by our CSLSA ocean and open-water lifeguards, but we cannot do it alone. Educating the public is crucial.
One of the central themes of this week is raising awareness about rip currents, which are among the most dangerous and misunderstood natural hazards in the ocean. Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that flow from the shore back out to sea. Rip currents can swiftly carry swimmers away from the beach, leading to panic, exhaustion, and potentially drowning. Rip currents account for the majority of surf zone fatalities and over 80% of rescues performed by ocean lifeguards. Recognizing rip currents, how to avoid them, and how to escape them if caught is vital for public safety.
Our CSLSA lifeguards, who are employed throughout the state by lifeguard agencies, fire departments, marine safety and harbor patrol divisions, and City, County, State, and National parks and recreation departments, play an indispensable role in both preventing and responding to beach-related emergencies, particularly during the high-traffic summer months. These professionals are extensively trained in open water rescue, CPR, first aid, and emergency response.
Their responsibilities extend far beyond simply watching swimmers; they assess changing environmental conditions, identify hazardous areas, and proactively manage the beach to prevent accidents before they occur. CSLSA lifeguards also play a vital educational role, informing beachgoers about conditions such as strong currents, marine life hazards, and heat-related illnesses.
During National Beach Safety Week, our CSLSA lifeguards often participate in public outreach events, demonstrations, and media campaigns. Our “Always Swim Near A Lifeguard” initiative emphasizes the importance of swimming near open lifeguard towers and obeying posted warning signs. Our “Talk To A Lifeguard” effort highlights lifeguards as public safety ambassadors while reminding beachgoers to contact the on-duty lifeguard who is the best resource for current ocean conditions. These two efforts reinforce critical safety messages while encouraging a culture of respect and caution at the beach.
In addition to education, our CSLSA lifeguards showcase their athleticism by demonstrating lifesaving skills in a competitive environment during the annual California Surf Lifesaving Championships and Junior Lifeguard Championships, scheduled for July 25 and 26, 2025 at Dockweiler State Beach in Los Angeles.
Beachgoers will also have the unique experience of watching the USLA National Lifeguard Championships, held in Huntington Beach on August 6-9, where professional ocean lifeguards and junior lifeguards from across the nation will compete to be crowned National Champions. The event is typically held on the East Coast. It was last held in Huntington Beach in 2010.
And the USLA/CSLSA partnership with the Ben Carlson Foundation encourages recruitment and recognition of California’s ocean and open-water lifeguards.
To foster an environment where the public can enjoy coastal recreation with confidence and peace of mind, beachgoers can have a safe and memorable summer by following these CSLSA water safety tips:
- Always Swim Near A Lifeguard
- Never Swim Alone
- Alcohol and Water Don’t Mix
- Feet First Water Entry; Don’t Dive Head First
- Know Your Limitations. When In Doubt, Don’t Go Out
- Don’t Fight The Current. Learn to “Break the Grip of the Rip”
- Learn To Swim
- Obey All Signs and Flags
- Beat The Heat and Block the Sun
Ultimately, National Beach Safety Week serves not only as a reminder of the ocean's inherent risks but also as a celebration of the life-saving work done by CSLSA ocean and open-water lifeguards. Their presence drastically reduces the risk of drowning and injury, making beaches safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
Gus Avila is the President of the CSLSA, based in Huntington Beach, CA. He is a former Huntington State Beach Ocean Lifeguard. The CSLSA/USLA is the largest trade group of professional ocean and open-water lifeguards in the U.S.
The mission of the CSLSA is to promote beach safety awareness and professional lifeguard standards through public education, training programs, exchange programs, junior lifeguard programs, competition, and other means.
The ultimate goal is to prevent and reduce aquatic injuries, accidents, and death at open-water beaches in the United States and throughout the world.
The CSLSA is a non-profit (501-C3) organization chartered in the State of California to promote beach safety awareness and professional ocean and open-water lifesaving standards. The 30 CSLSA Chapters/Agencies share the mission, goals, and objectives of the CSLSA.
The CSLSA is the Southwest Chapter, one of nine regions, of the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) the largest group of professional lifeguards in the nation, which in turn is affiliated with the International Lifesaving Association (ILS).