Lifeguards Return to Ventura Harbor Beaches for Summer | Homes & Lifestyle

As the summer season approaches, daily lifeguard service will be provided at Ventura Harbor beaches along Spinnaker Drive.

In a unanimous vote on May 5, the Board of Port Commissioners authorized Brian Pendleton, general manager of Ventura Harbor, to contract with State Parks to provide the lifeguard service from May through September at Harbor Cove, South Beach, and Surfers Knoll beaches.

The approved 2022 lifeguard contract of $140,131.07 will provide adequate coverage to each of the three Ventura Harbor beach areas over a five-month period.

“The Port District has taken great pride in supporting enhanced beach safety by way of seasonal lifeguards on the Harbors beaches,” said Pendleton.

For over 60 years, State Parks has provided professional lifeguarding services along California’s coastline. The Ventura Port District took the lead in securing summer lifeguards at the harbor in 2011. The state lifeguards and Ventura Harbor Patrol have formed a strong partnership in providing public safety on land and in the waters along Ventura’s coast.

“The designated safe family friendly beach is Harbor Cove which is within the harbor and sheltered from the offshore waves,” said John Higgin, Ventura Port District harbormaster. “South of Harbor Cove is approximately one mile of coastal beach, that while protected by lifeguards, is for the more experienced swimmers and surfers due to rip-currents.”

In cooperation, the Harbor Patrol and the State Parks lifeguards have over the years, performed numerous rescues and prevented numerous serious incidents. Both agencies participate in cross training and assist each other throughout the year on routine and emergency calls.

The beach had historically high visitors and challenging conditions, but most rescues were routine in nature as a result of the Ventura Port District’s investment. The lifeguard service continues to provide better preventative care through education and has reduced the number of circumstances where first responders are also at risk.

For questions on lifeguard times, call the State Lifeguards dispatch, 805-648-3321; for Ventura Harbor beach details, visit VenuraHarborVillage.com.