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National Beach Safety Week Op-Ed

National Beach Safety Week serves as a reminder that public safety is not a one-sided effort. It thrives when knowledge is shared, guidelines are followed, and both lifeguards and the public work together.

By Gus Avila

President of the CSLSA

Every year, National Beach Safety Week — which runs from May 18 to May 25 (Memorial Day) — provides an opportunity to highlight the public safety partnership between visitors and Ocean and Open-Water Lifeguards keeping aquatic environments safe and enjoyable.

That partnership is embodied through the close collaboration between professional Open-Water and Ocean Lifeguards of the California Surf Lifesaving Association (CSLSA) and the millions who visit our state’s local lakes and oceans. This mission is not simply about enforcement or rescue—it is about education, awareness, and fostering mutual respect for lakes and the ocean.

CSLSA’s Open-Water and Ocean Lifeguards are employed throughout the state by lifeguard agencies, fire departments, marine safety and harbor patrol divisions, City, County, State, National Parks and recreation departments. They serve as the frontline guardians of public safety. Highly trained in surf rescue, first aid, and emergency response, they monitor constantly changing ocean conditions such as rip currents, wave patterns, tides, and weather.

However, even the most skilled lifeguards cannot ensure safety alone. The sheer scale of California’s beaches and lakes makes it essential for visitors to actively participate in their own safety. During National Beach Safety Week, our CSLSA lifeguards intensify outreach efforts, engaging with the public through media, demonstrations, safety talks, and preventative actions.

The CSLSA’s “Always Swim Near A Lifeguard” and “Talk To A Lifeguard” outreach initiatives provide guidance on where it is safest to swim, such as directing visitors to designated areas near staffed lifeguard towers. On-duty lifeguards are the single best resource for information on beach, open water and ocean conditions. Beachgoers who ask questions, and follow posted signs, significantly reduce their risk of danger. Also understanding how to identify and escape rip currents, can turn a potentially life-threatening situation into a manageable one. And when beachgoers share this knowledge with family and friends, they extend the reach of lifeguards’ safety efforts.

Another aspect of this partnership is prevention. Lifeguards emphasize proactive behavior, such as knowing your limitations, swimming with a buddy, supervising children closely, and avoiding alcohol while in the water. Beachgoers who adopt these habits not only protect themselves but also help reduce the number of emergencies lifeguards must respond to. This allows lifeguards to focus on critical incidents where their expertise is most needed.

Technology and social awareness also play a role. The CSLSA and many of our member lifeguard agencies use social media to share real-time updates about hazards, surf conditions, and beach closures. Beachgoers who follow these updates can make informed decisions before even setting foot on the sand. During National Beach Safety Week, these communication channels become more active, reinforcing key messages and reaching wider audiences.

Ultimately, the CSLSA lifeguards and beachgoers share a meaningful goal: ensuring that everyone can enjoy the lakes and ocean safely. National Beach Safety Week serves as a reminder that safety is not a one-sided effort. It thrives when knowledge is shared, guidelines are followed, and both lifeguards and the public work together. Through this partnership, California’s lakes and beaches remain not only beautiful destinations but also safer places for all.

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).