Lifeguards | East Hampton Town, NY

The Nipper Program (ages 6 thru 8) Est. – Summer 2016

The East Hampton Town Nipper program is designed to introduce children to open water swimming and beach safety. This program’s focus is to have children become independent and confident swimmers when in or around an open body of water. It is achieved by engaging children in educational safety discussions, activities, games, and lifeguard events each day.  Our goal is to teach children to respect the conditions of the water, engage in the activities, and to become confident in their abilities. Since 2016, we have watched many of these children move on to become more confident junior lifeguards, cadet lifeguards, and we are now seeing some beginning the training process to become lifeguards to protect and save lives on our local beaches.

The Junior Lifeguard Program (ages 9- thru 15) Est. – Summer 2005

The East Hampton Town Junior Lifeguard Program is designed to teach individuals, ages 9 to 15, the importance of water safety and ocean awareness through beach activities. This program, taught by active certified lifeguards, will instill the importance of respect, determination, and teamwork as individuals learn to improve their open water swimming skills and engage in learning rescue techniques. All this while having fun at the beach.

The Open Water Cadet Lifeguard Program (age 15 or 16) – Est. 2016

This program will promote beach safety and awareness of local area beaches, educate young men and women in the role of an ocean lifeguard, and encourage both young men and women who one day will pursue a lifeguard certification and return as an open water lifeguard to protect others. 

The East Hampton Town Lifeguard Training Programs

• Stillwater Lifeguard Certification (ages 15 years or older): This forty-hour course is a New York State approved lifeguard stillwater certification course (NYS Supervision level IIb). This certification qualifies individuals looking to work as bay, lake, or pool lifeguards. The primary purpose of this lifeguarding course is to learn the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and to respond to aquatic emergencies. The course content and activities prepare participants to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and prevent drowning and injuries.
• Ocean Lifeguard Certification (ages 16 years or older):  This is a forty-hour, New York State approved, ocean lifeguard certification course (supervision level I) for individuals looking to work as ocean lifeguards. The primary purpose of this lifeguarding course is to learn the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and to respond to aquatic emergencies that occur on ocean beaches. The course content and activities prepare participants to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and to prevent drowning and injuries. Individuals will learn a number of rescue techniques necessary to effectively rescue swimmers in distress in different hazardous conditions associated with ocean currents.
• East Hampton Town Personal Watercraft Rescue Operators Rescue Course (Lifeguards ages 18 and older) The personal watercraft (PWC) has proven to be highly effective in water rescue in and out of the near shore zone and in remote locations. This 3-day, 24-hour course’s emphasis is placed on rescuer safety and survival. The course teaches the basic skills for both operator and rescue swimmer. It will enable lifeguards to identify clearly their own limitations as well as those of the equipment, so that they will be able to utilize craft more safely and effectively in making and assisting in water emergencies.

The TOEH Recreation Department is now accepting Job Applications to be a lifeguard. For online registration any of our lifeguard programs, trainings, or certification courses please visit Recreation Programs. For more information, please click the above links provided, or contact the Recreation Department via email or call 631-324-2417.