This book chronicles the origins of the San Clemente Junior Lifeguard Program in 1966, and the formation the following year of the Advanced Junior Lifeguard Program. My brother and I were fortunate to be able to participate in the very first year of this city sponsored 'water-safety' program, and stepping-stone to eventually becoming a lifeguard for the City of San Clemente in 1972. I didn't appreciate it at the time, but my parents took lots of photos; many of them color slides. I have also included a number of other photos taken by former SC Lifeguard, Steve Bro.

From its humble beginnings in 1966, the San Clemente Junior Lifeguard program has steadily grown along with our city over the years and has now expanded to provide opportunities today for about 800 local boys and girls from the age of 9-17 each summer. It’s pretty amazing to think that the Lifeguard Department’s stated mission and goals for current Junior Guards are almost exactly the same as those developed more than a half-century ago.

The San Clemente Lifeguard and Junior Guard Foundation was created to aid the San Clemente Lifeguard department in its efforts to help provide this opportunity for future youths to experience the same things we were so lucky to have had. I’m sure there are many of you out there that can relate to my own personal experiences as a kid growing up in our “little” beach town. If you are also interested and would like to help continue this tradition for local youths, please consider donating to the Foundation. Your donations are used to provide supplies and scholarships for San Clemente Jr. Lifeguards and to support the San Clemente Lifeguard Department with this important educational opportunity.