It's Finally Here!        

We are excited to announce that our NEW Junior Lifeguard Camp kicks off Tuesday, February 14, 2012!! 

North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety and North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center have teamed together and are offering two separate junior life guarding sessions.

Each session will consist of both pool and classroom training and will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (and some Saturday's) at the North Myrtle Beach Rec. Center and North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center.

Participants will learn Basic Rescue Skills, First Aid, CPR/AED, Rescue Board Techniques, Water Safety, Rip Current Awareness, Caring for Head/Neck/ Back Injuries, Reaching/Throwing/Walking Assists, and Proper Stroke Mechanics.

Fees:

Registration Fee- $25.00 (Checks made payable to North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center)

**Fee also includes a Junior Lifeguard hooded sweatshirt upon completion!!**

Training Session Schedule:

Session I-

(AFC Pool) February-14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, & 28th

(AFC Pool) March- 1st, 6th, 8th, 13th, 20th, & 22nd

(Classroom/ Possum Trot Rec. Center) March- 3rd (9am-5pm)

(Classroom/ Possum Trot Rec. Center) March- 15th (5:30pm-7:30pm)

Session II-

(AFC Pool) March- 27th & 29th

(AFC Pool) April- 3rd, 5th, 17th, 19th, 24th, & 26th

(AFC Pool) May- 1st, 8th, & 10th

(Classroom/ Possum Trot Rec. Center) April- 21st (9am-5pm)

(Classroom/ Possum Trot Rec. Center) May- 3rd (5:30pm-7:30pm)

Junior Guard Registration Form

**Every participant who graduates from the JG Camp will have the option to participate in beach training during the summer season!**

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT NMB BEACH PATROL AT: 

843-281-3820

Courtesy of Thomas Kotlarz

NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2012 SEASON!

Click here to download the Employment Application

Click here to download the Ocean Lifeguard/Beach Services Physical Evaluation form

FREE SWIM CLINICS!!

Every Saturday evening beginning Feb. 11th- May 12th from 5:30pm-7:30pm at North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center!!

NEW Bonuses for the 2012 season!!

- The $500.00 bonus for all rookie guards who attend and complete the 7 day lifeguard academy has been re-instated.

- The $250.00 bonus for all returning guards has been re-instated.

- A new squad leader position has been created.

- There will be a pay increase of .50/hr. up to $12.50/hr. for all returning guards. 

- There will be a $100.00 bonus for guards working Memorial Day weekend (Including Memorial Day).

- There will be a $100.00 bonus for guards working Labor Day weekend (Including Labor Day).

**BONUSES WILL NOT BE PAID UNLESS INDIVIDUALS WORK A MINIMUM OF 60 DAYS AND ONE OF THE BONUS WEEKENDS.**

 2012 Summer Kick-Off Cookout for Ocean Lifeguards & Beach Services Crew will be June 1st @ 7:00pm @ McLean Park. 

We would like to give a special thanks to Rocky Mountain Sunscreen for providing a free gallon of SPF 70 to our lifeguards this summer! Check them out!!

Lifeguards are now trained above and beyond minimum guidelines of United States Lifesaving Association. The City of North Myrtle Beach, Beach Service Division has the proud distinction to be the only USLA Certified Agency on the Grand Strand. Beach Services operation is over scene by Lifeguard Coordinators. All Coordinators are state certified law enforcement Officers and also certified Lifeguard Instructors.

Each year the City hires approximately 73 lifeguards to cover 45 Lifeguard Towers and 9 miles of beachfront.

More information:  Lifeguard Qualifications, Lifeguard Job Description and Opportunities, Lifeguard FAQ

Check out our video below from 2011

2011 North Myrtle Beach Ocean Lifeguards

Courtesy of Angela Fellenz Photography

Q: What kind of sea turtles nest in North Myrtle Beach?
A: Mostly loggerheads (Caretta caretta); “northern sub-species” that nests in GA, SC, NC; genetically distinct from “southern” (Florida) species; population is much smaller than southern.

Q: When do they nest?
A: About May until about mid-August.

Q: How big are they?
A: About 3’ long and almost as wide; 250-350 pounds.

Q: How do they make the nest?
A: They dig with their back flippers.

Q: How long does it take?
A: About 30-45 minutes just to dig; another 30-45 minutes to emerge from ocean, crawl up the beach and return to ocean.

Q: How deep are the eggs?
A: Bottom of the nest is typically about 18” but topmost eggs can be only 8-10” from surface.

Q: How many eggs per nest?
A: Average of 120 ping pong sized eggs.

Q: How long does it take the eggs to hatch?
A: 45 – 65 days depending on the sand temperature.

Q: Does the mother protect the nest?
A: No, once she the eggs are laid, the mother returns to the ocean and never sees the nest, eggs or hatchlings again.

Q: Why is a nest moved?
A: When it is laid below the spring high tide line and in danger of being overwashed or washed away because of beach erosion.

Q: What can harm the eggs?
A: Too much heat, too much water, bacteria in nest and nest diggers (roots, ants, sand crabs, dogs, people).

Q: What are the main predators of hatchlings?
A: Ants, ghost crabs, dogs, birds, fish, people.

Q: What are the main predators of adult turtles?
A: Sharks, boats/ships, fishing nets and lines, trash, pollutants, diseases, obstructions on beach, people.

Q: When is the best time to see a turtle nesting or a nest hatching?
A: Both events usually take place at night and according to turtle time. To feel safe, the nesting turtles need a NATURAL habitat (dark, quiet, motionless). To have the best chance, the hatchlings need NATURAL lighting with no obstructions between the nest and the ocean.

Q: Where do hatchlings go when they enter the ocean?
A:  Small turtles float in the Sargasso Sea along the major North Atlantic currents.

Q: How many hatchlings survive to sexual maturity?
A: No one really knows but recent research suggest 1 in 1,000.

Q: What do I do if I find a hatchling on the beach during the day?
A: The hatchling needs to get into the water as quickly as possible. It should be placed on the wet sand at the water line to rehydrate if necessary.  If it is active, it can be walked out beyond the breakers and released into the water.  It is against state and federal law to remove the hatchling from it’s natural environment.

Q: What if I see a sick or injured sea turtle on the beach?
A: If a turtle has stranded on the beach, it is sick or injured.  Do not push back into the water.  Call the NMB Sea Turtle Patrol at 843 283-6670 or the SCDNR Hotline at 1-800-922-5431.  It is recommended that the turtle be shaded and  wet towels placed on it’s carapace to avoid overheating.

Q: Can I take home a piece of shell or part of a turtle skeleton?
A: All sea turtles in the US are state and federally protected.  It is against the law to have any live turtles or their parts.

For more information visit:   nmbseaturtlepatrol.com

Chair and Umbrella Rates: *Includes 2 chairs and 1 umbrella

Looking for a summer job? Visit www.nmb.us in early December 2010 for job opportunities to be a Concession Worker for the summer of 2011!