About Our Lifeguard Association

The Los Angeles City Lifeguard Association (LACLA) is a non-profit organization whose members are professional lifeguards, both full and part time, employed by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks. The mission of LACLA is to promote aquatic safety awareness and professional lifeguard standards. Sign up for LACLA membership online!

LACLA is a chapter of the California Surf Lifesaving Association (CSLSA), which is a regional member of the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), which is in turn a member of the International Lifesaving Federation (ILSF).

Although LACLA is a chapter of USLA, only LACLA members who work at the City’s Open Water facilities are members of CSLSA and USLA. LACLA members who work at swimming pools are considered associate members and receive all benefits of the Association except those provided by CSLSA and USLA. Specifically, CSLSA and USLA benefits include membership kits from both organizations, “American Lifeguard Magazine” and “CalSurf News”, and the opportunity to participate in beach competitions sponsored by those associations (CSLSA Regional Lifeguard Championships and USLA National Lifeguard Championships). There are pool lifeguard competitions for our associate members.

The Los Angeles City Lifeguard Association gives out lifeguard awards each year to lifeguards who go above and beyond the call of duty.

The primary source of funding for LACLA is membership dues and donations. A secondary source is the sale of lifeguard accessories. Funds offset the cost of membership kit material, accessory items, and help offset the cost of competition sponsorship.

Each year LACLA sponsors the All City Lifeguard Relays to allow pool lifeguards to demonstrate their abilities in the water while competing against other L.A. City pool lifeguards in swimming events and events that simulate rescue activities and procedures. LACLA also organizes and helps sponsor L.A. City lifeguard teams that compete in other still water and open water competitions, including our very own Angeles Gate Lighthouse swim, and the Cold Hands Paddle.

LACLA members participate in educational presentations and displays at schools and fairs.

LACLA members attend educational conferences, seminars and training, and bring back information about new philosophies and practices in the field of professional lifeguarding. This information is provided to members through mailings and the occasional LACLA Newsletter. You can also share ideas and stories with lifeguards from all over the world using our lifeguard message forum.

We have a proud lifeguarding history, and will be lifeguards for life!

Contact us with any questions you have! ----------- Sign up for LACLA membership online!

Check out our open water lifeguard photo gallery and our great lifeguard videos!