Instructors
The Del Mar Junior Lifeguard Program Instructors:
TURTLE:
DMJG Program Director. Turtle has over 16 years lifeguarding and Junior Lifeguard Instructor experience. Turtle has a BA in Child Development from San Diego State University. She holds certifications from: City of San Diego Lifeguard Academy, Emergency Medical Technician, NAUI Openwater I and Openwater II SCUBA, Lifeguard Vehicle Operations (code 3), K38 Personal Watercraft Operations, Regional Lifeguard Academy PWC Operations, CA State Fire Marshall Low to High Angle Cliff Rescue, PC832 POST Peace Officer Orientation II, Department of Boating and Waterways Rescue Boat Operations, US Coast Guard Helicopter Training, Rescue Systems I, Swift water Training, ASTRIA Training. Turtle has competed in numerous athletic events ranging from triathlons to marathons to paddleboard races, she was part of Team USA and competed in the International Paddleboard Championship 2006 and helped the team win a silver medal in Australia. Many of the current Jr Guard Instructors had Turtle as an Instructor at one point in time.
CHRISTINE:
DMJG Office Manager. Christine is an elementary school teacher and mother of 2. She is an all around athlete who excels at soccer and surfing. Christine is in charge of the JG office and attends to all JG correspondence.
RUSS:
Senior Instructor. Russ has over 20 years lifeguarding and Junior Lifeguard Instructor Experience. Most Junior Guard Alumni Instructors have been a JG in Russ’ group at least once! Russ was honored in 2001 with Special Instructor Achievement Award. A talented musician and singer, Russ is part of the popular band SKANIC. He works year round as a lifeguard in Solana Beach and is a full time DAD who has a son who will be enjoying his 3rd summer in the Junior Lifeguard Program.
SAM:
Senior Instructor. Lead Instructor for competitions. Sam has over 9 years lifeguarding and Jr Lifeguard Instructor experience. Sam is a Junior Lifeguard Alumni and has been a part of JG’s since he was 10 years old! Sam always loved competing at Regionals and in any JG competition! Sam holds many NSSA, college, and lifeguard surfing contest titles.
ZACH:
Senior Instructor. Lead Instructor for Regional and National Competitions. Zach is a Junior Lifeguard Alumni and has been a part of JG’s since he was 9 years old! Zach is a semi pro surfer and has won too many surf contests to be named here! Zach was awarded DMJG Instructor of the Year for 2007. He completed his Masters Degree from UCLA in 2008.
BRETT:
Instructor. Brett is a Junior Lifeguard Alumni and has been part of a JG program since he was 10 years old! Brett earned the Most Outstanding Junior Lifeguard Award as an “A”. Brett was born and raised in Solana Beach and is currently a year round lifeguard.
BEAR:
Instructor. Bear is a Junior Lifeguard Alumni and has been part of a JG program since he was 10 years old! Bear earned the Junior Lifeguard Waterman Award as an “A”. Bear is an avid and expert fisherman and free diver. He is currently finishing up a Finance degree at Cal State San Marcos.
ALEX:
Instructor. Alex is a Junior Lifeguard Alumni and has been part of a JG program since he was 10 years old! Alex earned the honorable award of Rookie of the Year for Del Mar Lifeguards in 2002. He is a music lover, rapper and soccer coach. He is currently working on an album with his record company.
ELENA:
Instructor. Elena has over 9 years lifeguarding experience. She is a Junior Lifeguard Alumni and has been a part of a JG program since she was 12 years old. In her last year as a Junior Guard Elena earned the Most Outstanding JG Award and was DMJG Instructor of the year for 2008. She has a degree from UCSD in biology and computer science. She currently works year round as a lifeguard in Encinitas.
JAKE:
Instructor. Jake has over 9 years Lifeguarding experience. Jake is an incredible all around waterman and athlete. Jake has a degree and teaching credential from UC Davis. He is currently a Baseball coach and substitute teacher during the school year.
CATHERINE:
Instructor. Catherine has over 8 years lifeguarding experience with California State Lifeguard Agency. Catherine played water polo and earned a Biology degree from UCSD. She is currently working in the biotech field and getting ready to attend Medical School.
KATHRYN:
Instructor. Kathryn has over 8 years lifeguarding experience with Cal State Parks Lifeguard Service. Kathryn has a degree from UC Davis and is working as a Nurse at a local hospital.
TED:
Instructor. Ted has over 20 years lifeguarding and Junior Lifeguard Instructor experience. Ted is an exceptional teacher whether it be on the beach or in the classroom and has won several awards including: Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Innovative Educational Program Award, Carrillo Elementary Teacher of the Year, 94.9FM Radio 2007-2008 Teachers are Heroes Award. Ted is one of the original creators of Jr Guard “cookie day” and life long friend of Little Turtle Instructor Craig. Ted teaches elementary School and is a full time DAD!
REID:
Instructor. Reid is a Junior Lifeguard Alumni and has been a part of a JG program since he was 9 years old. Reid earned the Most Outstanding JG Award at least three times as a Junior Guard. He is an avid Surfer and spent the winter of 2006 in Hawaii. Reid also spent part of 2008 college year on Australia’s Gold Coast. He is currently taking classes at Mira Costa College and lifeguarding part time.
NICK:
Instructor. Nick has over 5 years lifeguarding experience with California State Parks Lifeguard Agency. During the winter months Nick teaches snowboarding lessons in Mammoth CA. Nick has a communications degree from San Diego State University and owns his own business called “Bandit”.
STEPHANIE:
Instructor. Stephanie has over 5 years lifeguarding experience with California State Parks Lifeguard Agency. She swam competitively in college for East Carolina University and has a degree in communications. Stephanie is a great all around athlete and is currently taking classes to become a physical therapist.
JANET:
Little Turtle Instructor. Janet has over 20 years lifeguarding experience and Junior Lifeguard Instructor experience. She was one of the first female lifeguards in North County and has been a role model for many young women along the way. Janet is an avid surfer and has surfed extensively in Baja and around the world. Janet currently teaches at La Costa Canyon High School and is a full time MOM!
Claire:
Instructor info coming soon.
Little Turtle Instructors
CRAIG:
Little Turtle Instructor. Craig has over 20 years lifeguarding and Junior Lifeguarding experience. Craig grew up in Solana Beach and enjoys sharing his vast local knowledge of the beach and ocean. He is an outstanding athlete and all around well respected waterman. Craig is one of the original creators of Jr Guard “Cookie Day” and lifelong friend of JG Instructor Ted. During the school year Craig teaches math at Torrey Pines High School and is a full time DAD!
GUS:
Little Turtle Instructor. Gus has over 20 years lifeguarding experience. Gus is an avid Surfer and has traveled extensively in Baja and around the world to surf. During the school year Gus is a kindergarten teacher and full time DAD!
NATE:
Little Turtle Instructor. Nate has over 5 years lifeguarding experience. He earned Awards for IRB driver of the year and Rescue of the year in 2006 for Del Mar Lifeguard Department. Nate has over 5 years Naval experience, he served over seas and has been honored with a Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal and 2 awards with combat distinguishing device. Nate has a degree in Religious Studies from UC Berkley and will be attending Medical School.
PATTY:
Little Turtle Instructor. Patty is an age group triathlete, swim coach and swim Instructor. Both Patty’s children are Junior Lifeguard Alumni. Patty currently teaches swim lessons and helps manage the Tide Water.
Every Del Mar Junior Lifeguard instructor meets the following criteria:
- Is a certified and experienced ocean Lifeguard
- Holds a current First Responder First Aid certificate
- Holds a current CPR for the Professional Rescuer certificate
- Passes a 500-yard ocean swim test in under 10 minutes each year
- In addition to meeting these requirements, all instructors have passed a fingerprint screening. All of our instructors have lifeguarding experience (several have more than 10 years of experience). Most Instructors also possess specialized training and certification in the following areas: Cliff Rescue, Swift Water Training, IRB or PWC operator, Code 3 driving, and EMT. Many of our Instructors are Junior Lifeguard Alumni. Collectively, the DMJG instructor staff has countless years of lifeguarding and junior lifeguard experience. And as an instructor team, everyone works exceptionally well together.
