SUMMER 2024 will be here soon! East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue and Hampton Lifeguard Association is dedicated to protecting and educating our community members – there are several instructional programs offered – see below!
More information is available on the official website to register to enroll in a specific instruction! https://hamptonlifeguardassociation.com/
The East Hampton Star article – March 28, 2024: Tap the bar below to open.
EAST HAMPTON VOLUNTEER OCEAN RESCUE
East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue (EHVOR), an on-call first responder organization, has been coming to the aid of water emergency victims 24 hours a day, 365 days a year since 2003.
EHVOR’S MISSION
The mission of East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue (EHVOR) is to make expeditious and safe water rescues year-round at all unprotected beaches by responding quickly and coordinating with East Hampton Emergency Services. EHVOR is committed to supporting open water education and water safety.
EHVOR’s dedicated members train regularly in coordination with multiple emergency agencies to be prepared to respond to emergency events in and around the water.
EHVOR realizes the importance of water safety in East Hampton, a town surrounded by water, and is committed to:
The mission of East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue (EHVOR) is to make expeditious and safe water rescues year-round at all unprotected beaches by responding quickly and coordinating with East Hampton Emergency Services. EHVOR is committed to supporting open water education and water safety.
ABOUT US
EHVOR is comprised of 80+ volunteers, most of whom are ocean lifeguard certified. EHVOR first responders are dispatched through 911 to various emergency calls including distressed swimmers, kite boarders, and kayakers. EHVOR also supports dive team, ice rescue, Marine Patrol, and Coast Guard operations.
EHVOR’s dedicated members train regularly in coordination with multiple emergency agencies to be prepared to respond to emergency events in and around the water.
EHVOR realizes the importance of water safety in East Hampton, a town surrounded by water, and is committed to:
- organizing the Nanny Program which is geared to caretakers with children who have not yet learned to swim
- assisting with Nipper swim training for children ages 6-8
- assisting with Junior Lifeguard training and certification for ages 9-14
- assisting with Still Water and Ocean Rescue Lifeguard training and certification for ages 16+ for East End residents
- creating educational press releases about the dangers of rip currents and distributing them during Beach Safety Week
- installing and maintaining rip current signs at East Hampton Town ocean beach access points
- safeguarding thousands of swimmers each year at charitable open water swims, triathlons, as well as surfing and paddle board events.
EHVOR is supported by Town and Village of East Hampton budget lines. The Hampton Lifeguard Association (HLA) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization whose mission is to “waterproof the East End of Long Island” that provides, by request, additional support to EHVOR for equipment upgrades and supplemental costs.
EHVOR is supported by Town and Village of East Hampton budget lines. The Hampton Lifeguard Association (HLA) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization whose mission is to “waterproof the East End of Long Island” that provides, by request, additional support to EHVOR for equipment upgrades and supplemental costs.
Hampton Lifeguard Association (HLA)
Supporting programs that waterproof our community.
Hampton Lifeguard Association (HLA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1992 by a group of dedicated lifeguards and community members with a goal of raising funds to support any program that meets our mission statement to waterproof our community, including but not limited to, the East Hampton Town and Village Lifeguards, East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue, the East Hampton Town and Village Junior Lifeguard Programs, the East Hampton Town Nipper Program and the East Hampton YMCA Hurricanes Swim Team.
Our Mission:
The mission of the Hampton Lifeguard Association is to WATERPROOF LONG ISLAND’S SOUTH FORK and beyond through education and training. In order to promote the safe use and enjoyment of our many water resources in all communities, we provide assistance and participation in water safety programs and lifeguard activities that maintain the well-being for its members and the surrounding communities. In addition, we uphold a high standard of lifeguarding through training and lifeguard competitions for all age group programs.
HLA is very thankful for these governmental agencies for these programs and we will continue to support them as they grow and build a safer waterfront community. Likewise, the lifeguards, parents, and HLA sponsors are vital in our overall mission to waterproof this community.
The non-profit HLA is a 501(c)(3) formed in 1992. HLA is a charter member of the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA). The USLA is a nonprofit professional association of beach lifeguards and open water rescuers that sets national standards for lifesaving.
HOW WE HELP
HLA supports the following:
Nipper Program
(ages 6 thru 8)
The East Hampton Town Nipper program is designed to introduce children to open water swimming and beach safety. The Nipper program’s focus is for children to become independent and confident swimmers when in or around an open body of water. It is achieved by engaging children in educational safety discussions, activities, games and lifeguard events. The goal is to teach children to respect the conditions of the water, engage in the activities, and to become confident in their abilities. In the 7+ years that this program has run, many of the children who complete the program move on to become junior lifeguards, cadet lifeguards, and even some begin the training process to become certified open water lifeguards. HLA supports the Nipper’s program by providing volunteers to assist in training, purchasing training equipment and providing financial support for competitions.
Junior Lifeguard Program
(ages 9 thru 15)
The East Hampton Junior Lifeguard Program is designed to teach individuals, ages 9 to 15, the importance of water safety and ocean awareness through beach activities. This program is taught by active certified lifeguards at both East Hampton Town and East Hampton Village beaches. This program will instill the importance of respect, determination, and teamwork as individuals learn to improve their open water swimming skills and engage in learning rescue techniques. All this while having fun at the beach! HLA supports the Junior Lifeguard Program by providing volunteers to assist in training, purchasing training equipment and providing financial support for competitions.
Open Water Cadet Lifeguard Program
(for prospective lifeguards age 15 or 16)
This Cadet Lifeguard Program program promotes beach safety and awareness of local area beaches, while educating young men and women about the role of an ocean lifeguard. The Cadet Program prepares young men and women who will one day pursue a lifeguard certification and return as open water lifeguards to protect others. HLA supports the Cadet Program by providing volunteers to assist in training, purchasing training equipment and providing financial support for competitions.
Stillwater Lifeguard Program
(ages 15 years or older)
Stillwater Lifeguard Certification is a New York State approved forty-hour lifeguard stillwater certification course (supervision level IIb). This certification qualifies individuals to work as bay, lake, or pool lifeguards. The primary purpose of this lifeguarding course is to learn the knowledge and skills needed to prevent, and to respond to, aquatic emergencies. The course content and activities prepare participants to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and prevent drowning and injuries. HLA supports the Stillwater Lifeguard Training Program by providing training equipment and volunteers to assist in training and testing.
Ocean Lifeguard Certification
(ages 16 years or older)
This forty-hour New York State approved ocean lifeguard certification course (supervision level I) is for individuals looking to work as ocean lifeguards. The primary purpose of this lifeguarding course is to gain the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and to respond to aquatic emergencies that occur on ocean beaches. The course content and activities prepare participants to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and prevent drowning and injuries. Individuals will learn a number of rescue techniques necessary to effectively rescue swimmers in distress in different hazardous conditions associated with ocean currents. HLA supports the Ocean Lifeguard Training Program by providing training equipment and volunteers to assist in training and testing.
Personal Watercraft Rescue Operators Rescue Course
(ages 18 and older)
The personal watercraft (PWC) has proven to be highly effective in water rescue in and out of the near shore zone and is remote locations. This 3-day, 24-hour, course places emphasis on rescuer safety and survival. The course teaches the basic skills for both operator and rescue swimmer. It will enable lifeguards to identify clearly their own limitations as well as those of the equipment, so that they will be able to utilize craft more safely and effectively in making and assisting in water emergencies. HLA supports the Personal Watercraft Rescue Operators Rescue Course by providing training equipment and volunteers to assist in training and testing.
Additional programs:
YMCA East Hampton Hurricanes Swim Team
The YMCA East Hampton RECenter’s Hurricanes Swim Team is a USS year round competitive youth swim team. The mission of the Hurricanes is to provide young swimmers with the opportunity to participate in competitive swimming under conditions that will foster skilled aquatic ability, the YMCA’s core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility, and at the same time, promote swimming as a life-long sport. HLA supports the Hurricanes by providing equipment, team and competition expenses, and at times, pool upgrades for the RECenter pool.
East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue (EHVOR)
East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue (EHVOR) is a 100 % volunteer Emergency response agency. EHVOR consists of over 70 certified ocean lifeguards that are devoted to the prevention of drownings at all unprotected beaches along the Town of East Hampton’s 44-mile shoreline. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year they are dispatched through 911 to various water emergencies throughout the East End. They work in conjunction with local Fire Departments, EMS, Marine Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard and Police and train regularly to be prepared to respond as needed. HLA supports EHVOR by providing funding for items not covered under the Town and Village budgets to include but not limited to additional training programs, specialty equipment, etc.
Skin Cancer Awareness Initiative
Skin cancer affects 1 in 5 Americans and HLA is honored to contribute towards protecting all beach goers. Hampton Lifeguard Association has developed an initiative toward protecting residents and visitors of East Hampton with free sunscreen for application at the Town of East Hampton beaches and East Hampton Villages beaches.
The John Wayne Cancer Foundation provides the East Hampton Town Junior Lifeguards and Nipper Guards with complimentary sunscreen and hats each summer as part of the Block the Blaze initiative.
HLA Scholarships
HLA sponsors two annual scholarships given to high school seniors by East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue. The scholarships are awarded to students who have participated in HLA programs and contributed to the mission of HLA.
All Town of East Hampton, Village of East Hampton, and East Hampton YMCA RECenter programs, are supported by the donations made to HLA.
CONTACT
7 Meadow Way
East Hampton, NY 11937
(631) 324-2787