HOW WE HELP
HLA supports the following:
Nipper Program
(ages 6 thru 8)
The East Hampton Town Nipper program is designed to introduce children to open water swimming and beach safety. The Nipper program's focus is for children to become independent and confident swimmers when in or around an open body of water. It is achieved by engaging children in educational safety discussions, activities, games and lifeguard events. The goal is to teach children to respect the conditions of the water, engage in the activities, and to become confident in their abilities. In the 7+ years that this program has run, many of the children who complete the program move on to become junior lifeguards, cadet lifeguards, and even some begin the training process to become certified open water lifeguards. HLA supports the Nipper’s program by providing volunteers to assist in training, purchasing training equipment and providing financial support for competitions.
Junior Lifeguard Program
(ages 9 thru 15)
The East Hampton Junior Lifeguard Program is designed to teach individuals, ages 9 to 15, the importance of water safety and ocean awareness through beach activities. This program is taught by active certified lifeguards at both East Hampton Town and East Hampton Village beaches. This program will instill the importance of respect, determination, and teamwork as individuals learn to improve their open water swimming skills and engage in learning rescue techniques. All this while having fun at the beach! HLA supports the Junior Lifeguard Program by providing volunteers to assist in training, purchasing training equipment and providing financial support for competitions.
EAST HAMPTON TOWN JR LIFEGUARD PROGRAM SIGN UP →
EAST HAMPTON VILLAGE JR LIFEGUARD PROGRAM SIGN UP →
Open Water Cadet Lifeguard Program
(for prospective lifeguards age 15 or 16)
This Cadet Lifeguard Program program promotes beach safety and awareness of local area beaches, while educating young men and women about the role of an ocean lifeguard. The Cadet Program prepares young men and women who will one day pursue a lifeguard certification and return as open water lifeguards to protect others. HLA supports the Cadet Program by providing volunteers to assist in training, purchasing training equipment and providing financial support for competitions.
Stillwater Lifeguard Program
(ages 15 years or older)
Stillwater Lifeguard Certification is a New York State approved forty-hour lifeguard stillwater certification course (supervision level IIb). This certification qualifies individuals to work as bay, lake, or pool lifeguards. The primary purpose of this lifeguarding course is to learn the knowledge and skills needed to prevent, and to respond to, aquatic emergencies. The course content and activities prepare participants to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and prevent drowning and injuries. HLA supports the Stillwater Lifeguard Training Program by providing training equipment and volunteers to assist in training and testing.
EAST HAMPTON TOWN STILLWATER LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION COURSE →
Ocean Lifeguard Certification
(ages 16 years or older)
This forty-hour New York State approved ocean lifeguard certification course (supervision level I) is for individuals looking to work as ocean lifeguards. The primary purpose of this lifeguarding course is to gain the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and to respond to aquatic emergencies that occur on ocean beaches. The course content and activities prepare participants to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and prevent drowning and injuries. Individuals will learn a number of rescue techniques necessary to effectively rescue swimmers in distress in different hazardous conditions associated with ocean currents. HLA supports the Ocean Lifeguard Training Program by providing training equipment and volunteers to assist in training and testing.
Personal Watercraft Rescue Operators Rescue Course
(ages 18 and older)
The personal watercraft (PWC) has proven to be highly effective in water rescue in and out of the near shore zone and is remote locations. This 3-day, 24-hour, course places emphasis on rescuer safety and survival. The course teaches the basic skills for both operator and rescue swimmer. It will enable lifeguards to identify clearly their own limitations as well as those of the equipment, so that they will be able to utilize craft more safely and effectively in making and assisting in water emergencies. HLA supports the Personal Watercraft Rescue Operators Rescue Course by providing training equipment and volunteers to assist in training and testing.
YMCA East Hampton Hurricanes Swim Team
The YMCA East Hampton RECenter’s Hurricanes Swim Team is a USS year round competitive youth swim team. The mission of the Hurricanes is to provide young swimmers with the opportunity to participate in competitive swimming under conditions that will foster skilled aquatic ability, the YMCA’s core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility, and at the same time, promote swimming as a life-long sport. HLA supports the Hurricanes by providing equipment, team and competition expenses, and at times, pool upgrades for the RECenter pool.
East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue (EHVOR)
East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue (EHVOR) is a 100 % volunteer Emergency response agency. EHVOR consists of over 70 certified ocean lifeguards that are devoted to the prevention of drownings at all unprotected beaches along the Town of East Hampton’s 44-mile shoreline. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year they are dispatched through 911 to various water emergencies throughout the East End. They work in conjunction with local Fire Departments, EMS, Marine Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard and Police and train regularly to be prepared to respond as needed. HLA supports EHVOR by providing funding for items not covered under the Town and Village budgets to include but not limited to additional training programs, specialty equipment, etc.
Skin Cancer Awareness Initiative
Skin cancer affects 1 in 5 Americans and HLA is honored to contribute towards protecting all beach goers. Hampton Lifeguard Association has developed an initiative toward protecting residents and visitors of East Hampton with free sunscreen for application at the Town of East Hampton beaches and East Hampton Villages beaches.
The John Wayne Cancer Foundation provides the East Hampton Town Junior Lifeguards and Nipper Guards with complimentary sunscreen and hats each summer as part of the Block the Blaze initiative.
HLA Scholarships
HLA sponsors two annual scholarships given to high school seniors by East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue. The scholarships are awarded to students who have participated in HLA programs and contributed to the mission of HLA.