Lifeguard in water going out for a rescue

Beach Patrol


About the Delaware State Beach Patrol!

The Delaware State Beach Patrol is an elite group responsible for ocean rescue and beach safety at Delaware's award-winning state park beaches. Our beach patrol members receive advanced, nationally certified training, work in some of the most beautiful locations in the state, meet lifelong friends, compete in lifeguard competitions, and serve the people of Delaware, all while getting paid and having fun! Guarded beaches include Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware Seashore State Park – Tower Road, Delaware Seashore State Park – South Inlet, and Fenwick Island State Park.

2024 Patrol Tryouts

Applications for our 2024 Patrol are open now! To apply, follow three easy steps:

  • Register for a tryout online.
  • Complete your application and return.
  • Successfully pass your tryout & interview with guard staff.

Tryouts

Tryouts are scheduled 7:00am – 9:00am at the Rehoboth Beach YMCA, 20080 Church St, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 on the following dates:

  • March 3, 17, 24
  • April 7, 14, 21

Register for your tryout

Tested skills include 500 meter swim in under 10 minutes (freestyle stroke) and 1-mile beach run under 10 minutes. Minimum age of 16 to apply.

Application

Complete your application and bring to your tryout, or email to Bailey.Noel@delaware.gov prior to your tryout date.

Application

Pay & Bonus Information

Pay Structure

All DSBP guards will receive base pay determined by their tenure and guarding rank, plus additional hourly pay upon achieving the following certifications. All certifications are available through Delaware State Parks.

  • All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV): +$0.25/hr
  • Personal Watercraft (PWC): +$0.25/hr
  • Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA): +$0.25/hr
  • National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians – Basic (NREMT-B): +$1.00/hr
  • National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians – Paramedic (NREMT-P): +$2.00/hr
  • *Fluency in a 2nd Language (no certification): +$0.50/hr

Bonuses

  • Rookie Bonus ($250): Complete rookie training and pass all required certifications to guard your first summer with DSBP
  • Referral Bonus ($200 per recruit): Recruit a new guard to DSBP who successfully passes all training, and works a total of 400hrs during the season (incl. Labor Day)
  • Retention Bonus ($350): Work a minimum of 51 hours between Aug. 23 – Sept. 06
  • End of Season Bonus ($500): Work 12+ weekends during guarding season (*2 weekends must be Memorial Day & Labor Day)

Competitions

Each year, DSBP Guards participate in numerous local, regional and national competitions. Below is the 2024 Competition Schedule as well as 2023 Competition Results. Check out our photo gallery.

2024 Competition Schedule

  Date Location Link
TBD TBD
TBD TBD
TBD TBD
TBD TBD

2023 Competition Results

  Date Location Results
6/19/23 Ocean City 1st
6/22/23 Fenwick 5th
6/26/23 Sea Colony 1st
6/29/23 Middlesex All Womens’ 3rd
7/6/23 DSBP 1st
7/12/23 USLA Mid-Atlantic Regionals – Rehoboth 1st – B Division
7/18/23 USLA Mid-Atlantic Regionals – Crafts, NJ 1st – B Division
7/24/23 Bethany Beach 2nd
7/27/23 Rehoboth Beach Lifeguard Olympics 1st
8/3/23 Middlesex Beach 2nd
8/10/23 USLA Nationals – Virginia Beach, VA 2nd
(Sussex County Lifeguard Association Mixed Team)

Junior Lifeguards

Junior Lifeguards at the beach

 

Annually, Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol offers a Junior Lifeguard Program for children ages 9-16 years at Cape Henlopen State Park. This fun and educational program is designed to teach the importance of water safety, surf rescue techniques, minor first aid, respect for natural resources, and to provide children with the knowledge and experience of true ocean rescuers.

Registration for the 2024 Junior Lifeguard Program will open soon – check back soon!

See What It's Like To Be A DBSP Lifeguard

Beach Patrol member Hannah

"I joined Delaware State Beach Patrol because of my love for the beach and helping others. Getting paid to workout, tan, and guard the beach all day is the best job I could ever imagine. My favorite part of guarding for DSBP is being able to compete in lifeguard competitions throughout the summer with some of my best friends! I love how our patrol is so close and able to come together as a team. I have made some of my favorite memories working for DSBP and can’t wait to make even more this summer!"

~ Hailey

Beach Patrol member Alec

“I joined the Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol not only as a result of my lifelong love of the ocean, but also to help those in need. It is extremely rewarding using your lifesaving knowledge to make a true impact on someone's life. In addition, the patrol is a unified group of well-skilled individuals who love what they do. This gives a great sense of community at work, and therefore I enjoy my time on the stand each and every day. The members of this patrol have my full trust at all times because they are not only my co-workers, but my friends as well.”

~ Alec

Beach Patrol member Nick

"Working for DSBP has been one of the best experiences of my life. After days of helping patrons and working out with my friends/coworkers I sometimes forget that I’m even getting paid to do this. Not only has it been the best job I’ve ever worked but allows me to create relationships with people I’ll remember for a lifetime".

~ L.J

Beach Patrol member Kyle

“DSBP has given me some of the greatest memories of my life. It truly has felt like my second family from the day I started, and I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime. Not only have I been taught skills that I can carry with me anywhere, but it gave me a chance to fall in love with the beach all over again. If I could go back and do anything differently, I would have joined sooner!”

~ Kyle

Testimonials from Rookie Training Week:

“This has been the most physically, emotionally, and psychologically challenging week of training that I have ever participated in. It taught me to have better confidence in myself, my friends, and in all the DSBP lifeguards. Our workouts have made me realize what I am capable of. I’m very glad I chose DSBP this summer and look forward to wearing my uniform proudly. I only have positive things to say about DSBP and the training that was included.”

“Throughout this past week, I have learned a lot about how to be a lifeguard but also to stay strong when things are rough. Rookie training was by no means easy, and I was pushed more than ever before. I have also learned a lot about being on a team and encouraging everyone else to stay strong as well. At the end of the day, it is my job to make sure that everyone makes it home safely no matter what might be going on in my personal life. While training was physically and mentally demanding, every day I went home feeling accomplished for what I had learned and the workouts I had completed.”

“These have been some of the best and worst days of my life. I’ve grown so much already and have learned so many valuable life skills and lifeguarding skills alike. You have all shown me the discipline I need in order to succeed on the stand and in life. I feel confident in my ability to protect the lives of others and I am wholly confident that I can save a life. This has been an amazing program and I consider myself lucky to be part of it. I will never forget my experience.”

Join our team!

Ocean rescue is a demanding job, and our experienced staff will prepare you to meet every challenge. If you have any questions about the Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol, contact our beach patrol captain:

Bailey Noel
Phone: (302) 632-2070
Email: Bailey.Noel@delaware.gov