It’s unfortunate — once again — that one of our offshore competitors has chosen to make snide remarks about Golden State Lifeguards and our colleagues serving the Southern California region. We feel it’s important to address these statements, not just on our own behalf, but in defense of all the dedicated private and municipal lifeguard providers who uphold the highest standards of professionalism here at home.
Recently, this offshore outfit referred to themselves as the “Real Lifeguards.” To make such a claim is both misleading and disrespectful to the many highly trained professionals who safeguard California’s beaches, pools, and waterfronts every single day. It’s an attempt to elevate themselves by diminishing others — an approach that speaks volumes about their priorities.
For context, this operation — a small overseas partnership — has a history of friction with Los Angeles County Lifeguards, stemming from overstepping boundaries during incidents that were under local jurisdiction. Those issues ultimately damaged their reputation and relationships within our region. In fact, they have not had a local presence on Southern California beaches for quite some time, and we expect that will remain the case as we move toward 2026.
At Golden State Lifeguards, we have built our 20-year reputation on respect, collaboration, and integrity. We maintain excellent working relationships with Los Angeles County Lifeguards, State Parks Lifeguards, and other municipal agencies. We play by the rules, support our public safety partners, and always strive to represent the lifeguard profession with professionalism and pride.
One of the many factors that set us apart is our staffing. We employ off-duty Los Angeles County Lifeguards, State Parks Lifeguards, and other agency-trained professionals — individuals who bring real-world rescue experience, proven skill, and credibility to every assignment. That level of expertise cannot be replicated or outsourced.
Our competitor often boasts about their equipment inventory, but we know that lifeguarding is not about who brings the most gear — it’s about the person behind it. A pool party does not require a full trauma bay setup; it requires calm, capable, and experienced lifeguards who can prevent emergencies before they happen. Equipment is important, but it’s only as effective as the professional who knows how to use it.
At the end of the day, Golden State Lifeguards remains committed to safety, professionalism, and community partnership — values that have earned us trust and respect across Southern California. While others may rely on marketing gimmicks and empty claims, we’ll continue doing what we’ve done for two decades: protecting lives with integrity and excellence.