JUNIOR GUARDS: THE NEXT GENERATION

Every summer, coastlines across the country turn into training grounds for the next generation of ocean stewards. The Junior Lifeguard programs that line our shores do more than teach kids how to swim—they instill confidence, camaraderie, and a deep respect for the sea. At FLORENCE, we're proud to outfit these programs and the instructors who lead them, because we believe in their mission: to raise capable watermen and women who not only protect our beaches but inspire entire communities.

Video made in partnership with CineDept & Parallel Sea

"We don't just teach swimming," says North Shore lifeguard and junior guard director Kyle Foyle. "We teach confidence. We teach them how to be in the ocean—and how to be there for each other."

Kyle didn't set out to be an instructor. Back in 2007, he took a temporary post running a Junior Lifeguard session out of Ala Moana—"out of my comfort zone," as he puts it. But something clicked. And in places like Oʻahu, it's a life-saving necessity. "You'd think every kid in Hawaiʻi knows how to swim," Kyle says, "but that's not the case."

"Drowning is still the number one cause of death for kids in Hawaiʻi. We've got huge inland populations—kids who maybe get to the beach on weekends, but don't grow up with wave knowledge like the North Shore or Sandy Beach kids do."

Veteran North Shore Lifeguard, Kyle Foyle. Photo: Jimmy Wilson

The moment he saw kids go from fearful, gasping beginners to confident, grinning swimmers with five new friends and shaved swim times, he was hooked. "It changed my life," he says. "And now, 18 years later, I've got kids I taught at age 10 working alongside me in towers."

For Kyle and countless other instructors across the coast, this isn't just a summer gig. It's mentorship. It's a rite of passage. In Laguna Beach, Ocean Safety Chief Kai Bond sees it the same way. "We teach skill, but more than that, we teach responsibility. These kids leave here with a deeper awareness of themselves, their community, and the power of nature. They're better people for it—and many of them go on to be our lifeguards."

North Shore Junior Lifeguards. Photo: Jimmy Wilson

Photo: Jimmy Wilson

Laguna Beach has a long-standing tradition of turning kids into capable waterpeople. With cliffs, reefs, and tricky currents, this stretch of coast is no place to learn the hard way. That's why the program combines rigorous safety training with an emphasis on awareness, stewardship, and fun.

"We want these kids to feel strong in the water," Bond says, "but also to understand the responsibility that comes with it. It's not just about lifeguarding. It's about growing into someone your community can count on."

Newport Beach Junior Guards. Photo: Tony Wodarck

"We've been doing this for generations," says Newport Beach Lifeguard Captain Gary Conwell. "And we've never lost sight of what it means to this town."

Overseen by Newport Beach Lifeguard Headquarters, their program runs like a well-oiled machine: structured, comprehensive, and rooted in tradition. Each year, thousands of kids pass through its ranks, learning everything from CPR and ocean rescues to teamwork and leadership.

For Gary, it's about legacy. "This program has been a cornerstone in our community for decades," he says. "We've got generations of families who've come through it. And the gear we provide needs to match the level of training we offer—functional, dependable, and made for the job."

Gary Conwell & John Florence. Photo: Tony Wodarck.

That's where FLORENCE comes in. Our role is simple: support those who put it all on the line. Whether it's an 11-year-old in her first run-swim-run or a seasoned instructor leading ocean rescues, the gear matters. It's a tool. It's a uniform. And it's a symbol of what it means to show up, dig deep, and do the work.

By outfitting these programs with purpose-built equipment—from performance shirts and hats to functional sun protection—we're investing in something larger than apparel. We're investing in the development of future lifeguards, surf instructors, first responders, and community leaders.

Photo: Tony Wodarck

"It's about building strong, smart, ocean-savvy individuals," Conwell says. "And a lot of them come back—to guard, to teach, to lead. It's full circle."

Newport Beach Lifeguards with the Florence Brothers and Creative Director, JP Olson. Photo: Tony Wodarck.

"I can't emphasize enough how important junior lifeguards is to our coastal communities," says John Florence, 3x World Surfing Champion and FLORENCE Co-Founder.

"The values it instills in kids—confidence, respect for the ocean, camaraderie—these are things they carry for life. That's what this brand stands for. So to support these programs with the gear we make, that's full circle for me."

FLORENCE's support ensures instructors and participants are outfitted in performance gear that's made for the job. "When your gear works, you can focus on the mission," says Bond. "It lets the kids know they're part of something real. That they're being taken seriously."

"Having professional-grade gear sets the tone," says Conwell. "It shows we care about what we do. And it reinforces the standard we hold."

JP Olson, Gary Conwell and John Florence. Photo: Tony Wodarck.

The truth is, Junior Lifeguards is more than a program. It's a proving ground. A place where kids learn that grit, heart, and hustle matter more than talent. A place where tomorrow's heroes first put on a pair of fins and realize they're capable of more than they ever thought.

As Kyle puts it: "I'm not a rich man, but I'm rich in that department. I've got generations of kids—ages 8 to 32—who know me, and who know I taught them something. And I don't even think I'm teaching. I'm just guiding. That's the reward."

"These kids are out there grinding," says Foyle. "They deserve the best."

Photo: Jimmy Wilson