A record 1,500 young swimmers are spending their summer learning to read rip currents, body surf, and look out for each other on Newport Beach's coastline.

The Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Program launched its 42nd season with the annual kickoff picnic on Thursday, June 25, drawing hundreds of participants, families, and instructors to the beach. The City of Newport Beach confirmed the 2026 class is the largest in the program's history. The program started in 1984 with two instructors and 50 Junior Lifeguards; it has grown into one of the city's most popular youth programs, employing about 60 instructors and support staff each summer.

Instructor Bridget Lee handed out treats to young guards while fellow instructors Strider Stade and Jax Richards mingled with families in the sun, as seen in photos the Newport Beach Fire Department posted from the event.

The man running it all

Gary Conwell, the program's supervisor and a Newport Beach Lifeguard Training Captain with nearly 30 years on the job, completed all seven years of the Junior Guards as a kid. That makes him one of several current city lifeguards who started in the same program they now lead, according to the program's official history.

Conwell is also a founding board member of the Ben Carlson Foundation, established after Newport Beach Lifeguard Ben Carlson died in the line of duty on July 6, 2014. Conwell was on the rescue boat with Carlson that day.

What families should know

The seven-week program runs Monday through Thursday from June 16 through July 30. Morning sessions run 9 a.m. to noon; afternoon sessions run 1 to 4 p.m. It is open to youth ages 9 to 15 and operates out of 901 East Ocean Front.

Participants learn rip current identification and escape, body surfing, paddling, distance running, basic first aid, and team building under the program motto S.U.R.F.: Safety, Unity, Respect, Focus.

Upcoming in Newport Beach: The Junior Lifeguard season continues Monday through Thursday at 901 East Ocean Front through Thursday, July 30.