Gulf Shores Expands Lifeguard Coverage to Year-Round Service
Gulf Shores is now staffing six lifeguards on its beaches year-round, extending coverage beyond the traditional summer tourism season.
Gulf Shores beaches will now have lifeguard coverage every day of the year after the city expanded what had previously been seasonal service tied to the traditional tourism season.
Beach safety officials said six lifeguards will now be staffed on the beach year-round. “If something happens, we’re already out there. We have lifeguards that are there; we’re not coming from a fire station or anywhere like that. We’re on the beach, and we’re ready to act,” Gulf Shores Beach Safety Chief Joethan Phillips said.
Phillips said the change reflects how long the Gulf Coast’s warm weather draws visitors to the water. “It’s still warm all the way through December at least. Any time the weather is warm, people are wanting to come to the beach and enjoy it, so it’s going to be busy throughout the year,” he said.
Local beachgoers welcomed the change. “It only takes one person to go in the water, and then something tragic happens,” Jesse Rodriguez said. “The ocean is very unpredictable. You never know what’s going to happen,” added Jose Ramos. “It’s always good to have a lifeguard around.”
Phillips said the goal isn’t just responding to emergencies but preventing them before they happen. “Whether it be on a side-by-side or in a truck, depending on how cold the day is — our lifeguards are going to be patrolling up and down the beach, and they’re going to be able to stop and talk to people and prevent stuff before it happens,” he said.
The city said the daily beach warning flag system, which alerts beachgoers to current surf and rip current conditions, will continue to operate all 365 days of the year alongside the expanded lifeguard coverage.
What the beach flags mean
Gulf Shores uses the standard Gulf Coast warning flag system: green means low hazard, yellow means medium hazard with moderate surf or currents, red means high hazard, and double red means the water is closed to the public. A purple flag, which can fly alongside the others, warns of dangerous marine life such as jellyfish.
