Newport Beach's Junior Lifeguard program graduated 1,500 young swimmers on Thursday, July 30, the largest class in the program's 42-year history.

That's 30 times the founding class.

The milestone caps a summer that also saw 27 teenagers complete the Newport Beach Police Department's seven-week Teen Academy, according to City Manager Seimone Jurjis's Aug. 4 community newsletter.

Biggest Junior Lifeguard class ever

Founded in 1984 with two instructors and 50 kids, the Junior Lifeguard program now dwarfs its origins. The 2026 class of 1,500 surpasses the 2024 class of 1,430 participants and the program's long-running average of about 1,400, according to a Newport Beach Fire Department annual report.

Fifty-three lifeguards were assigned weekly as instructors this summer, part of a 224-guard force supporting beach and ocean safety across Newport Beach, the Newport Beach Independent reported.

The ocean-based program runs Monday through Thursday for seven weeks and serves youth ages 9 to 15. Participants learn ocean safety techniques, basic first aid, teamwork and leadership under the guidance of city lifeguards.

Jurjis described the program as a multigenerational tradition in his newsletter, noting that many families have parents, aunts, uncles and siblings who once wore the same red uniforms. For some graduates, the newsletter said, the experience marks a first step toward serving as a Newport Beach lifeguard.

Teen Academy builds police-community ties

On the law enforcement side, 27 teens wrapped up the NBPD Teen Academy after seven weeks of activities, discussions and presentations. Topics ranged from drugs and alcohol to traffic safety, CSI, SWAT and emergency preparedness.

Participants met more than 40 members of the police department, interacted with police horses and K-9 units, and completed a three-hour group ride-along with NBPD patrol officers. Graduates earned community service hours for attending classes and the ride-along, with additional credit available through optional essays and speeches.

What's next

The city has not announced a fall Teen Academy session. Fall recreation class registration opens Thursday, Aug. 6 at 8 a.m., with hundreds of programs available through the Recreation & Senior Services Department.