Lifeguard Swim Surf race shoreline oceanside pier

9:00 am

Drop Off, Stretch, Warm-up

For the first part of the day we will gather, take roll and do some group stretching to help prevent injures and get everyone ready for the day. Afterwards we go straight into our first cardio activity.

Person paddleboarding on a body of water with mountains and boats in the background catalina island pacific ocean

10:30 am

Skill Development

Our daily activities use games and challenges to develop essential ocean skills. These exercises build confidence, teamwork, and water skills.

Beach scene with a lifeguard stand, beach buggy, and people on a sunny day. Carlsbad Surf Rescue Team California Summer

12:00 pm

Lunch & Lecture

During our action-packed day, we will take a break to refuel, relax, and learn a little more. This time includes a short lesson on ocean knowledge, marine biology, and basic first aid topics.

Barreling Ocean Waves Strong Heavy Surfer

1:00 pm

Skill Development

In the second round of skill development we will normally offer more freedom to let kids practice and develop the skills they had practiced early in the day.

Lifeguards paddle boards surfing waves Oceanside pier Carlsbad Surf Rescue Team

2:00 pm

Pick-up

Pick-up will occur at 2:00 pm. Please try and arrive 10-15 minutes early to find parking or avoid a traffic jam. Enter from the north on Ocean St. and leave east on Carlsbad Village Drive. Pick up will be at the top of the stairs at Carlsbad Village Drive.

Some of Our Favorite Activities

Ins-n-Outs

No, not the burger! Ins-n-Outs are great practice for water entry. Learning how to charge the water and get out fast in the event of an emergency. (Or the waves are just firing.)

Beach Flags

The game of beach flags started in Australia during the 1920's. Lifeguards found it a great way to train for sprinting in soft sand and picking up rescue equipment en route to a rescue while sharpening their reaction times.

The game is simple: line up, lay down, wait for the cue, pop up, find the flag in the sand, and sprint to grab it. Each round eliminates a competitor until only two athletes remain for the final showdown. Beach flags is now an iconic and super fun part of the sport.

Run-Swim-Run

A run-swim-run is a classic beach workout that trains the legs in the sand and the arms in the water. It simulates a real life rescue scenario where you have to sprint into the water getting your heart rate high, swimming to the victim, and then continuing to help the victim after you finished bringing them in. It also is a great workout and good practice entering the water.

Paddle Relay

Paddle relay is a personal favorite because it is great practice for kids to get lots of repetitions taking a paddle board that might be twice as tall as them and bring it through the surf and then catching a wave on the way in. It also creates a great group dynamic for teamwork and having fun competition with your friends.

Free Surf

Free surf is a great time to give kids the freedom to practice the skills we have been teaching and practicing. These include surfing, body boarding, body surfing, paddling and just having fun in the water.

Lunch

Of course we have to include this as one of our favorite activities. In the middle of an action packed day, staying properly fueled is very important.