By Mackenzie McClintock, SWFD Public Information Officer

As spring break surges and warmer days return, South Walton Fire District (SWFD) lifeguards are once again taking their posts along our sugar-white shoreline. Beach Safety Season is officially underway, covering South Walton’s 26 miles of Gulf-front paradise — from Inlet Beach to Miramar Beach.

Lifeguards are stationed at 18 towers positioned at key beach access points: Inlet Beach Regional Beach Access, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, WaterSound Beach, Santa Clara Regional Beach Access, Seaside, WaterColor, Grayton Beach Regional Beach Access, Blue Mountain Beach Regional Beach Access, Gulfview Heights Regional Beach Access, Ed Walline Regional Beach Access, Fort Panic Regional Beach Access, Dune Allen Regional Beach Access, Sandestin, Scenic Gulf Drive Regional Beach Access, and Miramar Beach Regional Beach Access.

Please note: Van Ness Butler Regional Beach Access is no longer in operation, but coverage has been seamlessly replaced by towers in nearby Seaside and WaterColor.

Lifeguards staff these towers daily, not only watching over the surf but ready to respond to emergencies on the beach and in nearby areas such as County Highway 30A and Scenic Gulf Drive.

“We’ve spent the last few months training up all of our full-time staff,” said SWFD Beach Safety Director David Vaughan. “We have more than 20 full-time personnel who are certified EMTs. We’ve made advancements to our medical equipment, improved our fleet of response vehicles, and trained very hard physically to be the best we can be.”

Whether they’re performing water rescues, responding to medical events, reuniting lost children with families, or simply offering friendly directions to local landmarks, these surf rescue professionals serve as both lifesavers and local ambassadors.

Since the program’s launch in 2006, SWFD’s Beach Safety and Surf Rescue Division has expanded into a well-oiled operation of 50–60 team members during peak season, with a mix of seasonal and full-time year-round personnel.

The agency continues to seek qualified individuals to join the team and encourages those interested in lifeguard opportunities to apply.

“We have been backed by our locals and longtime visitors since the inception of the program,” Vaughan added. “We need their help educating others about the importance of following the beach flag system and swimming near one of our lifeguards. We’re most effective when we can physically see swimmers and prevent any emergency from occurring before it’s too late.”

Stay informed with real-time beach flag updates and surf conditions by texting SAFETY to 31279.

For more information about rip current safety, drowning prevention, or how to become part of the SWFD Beach Safety team, visit swfd.org or follow SWFD on Facebook and Instagram.