Founded in 1938, the Brigantine Beach Patrol has grown both in numbers and the skills required of its members. Current manpower strength is 86 working guards, both male and female, with 10 officers. Acting Chief of the Beach Patrol – Kip Emig Brigantine guards provide a 6 week swim lesson program that teaches almost 200 children water safety. Sign ups are always the first week of July. Guarded beaches begin on the Memorial Day weekend these beaches are 2nd street north, 15th street South (weekends only). Full staffed beaches always begin the third week of June thru the Labor Day weekend. The Patrol offers limited weekend service during the month of September at 2nd north, 15 south and 26 street south. The American Red Cross has trained 30 of our members in first aid with all of them certified as CPR instructors and 8 EMTs. Additionally, 9 members are water safety instructors. In addition to keeping a watchful eye on swimmers, the beach patrol gives swimming lessons and water safety lectures to groups and schools. Added to this program is a skin cancer avoidance lecture and tidewater environment lessons. The Beach Patrol also operates a two-week ‘junior lifeguard” program wherein up to 125 candidates, both boys and girls, come out and learn basic lifeguarding techniques and water safety plus a “rookie camp” for first-year lifeguards. The Beach Patrol can also be seen overseeing such local aquatic events as the Lion’s Club Mile Swim, the Elk’s Club Bayfest and mile swim, the Red Cross Triathlon, and the Brigantine Waveriding Association’s Surf Contests. The Brigantine City Beach Patrol’s primary coverage area is approximately five miles of beach (with 25 stands). The patrol also responds to calls on an additional six miles of unprotected beach.