What StarGuard ELITE does

StarGuard ELITE (Starguard Elite, LLC) is a privately held aquatic risk prevention agency headquartered in Windermere, Florida, providing evidence-based lifeguard training, on-site safety audits, risk prevention consulting, attraction commissioning, and annual professional development conferences for aquatic facilities worldwide. The company was founded in 1999 by James Harhi and Mike Friscia, operates under medical direction by two emergency physicians, and was the first lifeguard training program to receive CMAHC (Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code) certification. It serves over 400 organizations across 27 countries through a network of 400+ Authorized Training Centers and issues 50,000+ certifications annually.

The company operates a proprietary digital ecosystem comprising the SGE Portal (a client-facing platform for certification management, audits, zone management, and safety event documentation) and an internal Learning Management System launched in August 2025 that replaced prior third-party LMS reliance. SGE partners with Health & Safety Institute (HSI, formerly ASHI) for CPR, AED, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogen, and Emergency Oxygen training elements. Notable proprietary assets include the 30-second scanning standard (later adopted industry-wide), the ELITE Dispatch certification for attraction operators, and a digital audit program with objective-based scoring delivered through the SGE Portal.

SGE generates revenue through multiple streams: licensing of training programs to authorized training centers, recurring annual Aquatic Risk Prevention (ARP) subscriptions bundling audits, training, portal access, and conference attendance, professional services for safety audits and risk prevention consulting, project fees for attraction testing and commissioning, and registration fees for the CAMP and Training CAMP conferences ($850-$3,000 per attendee). Distribution runs through a geographically assigned Client Partner model, the self-serve SGE Portal, hosted annual conferences, and participation in major industry events (WWA, IAAPA, Surf Park Summit, YMCA General Assembly, AOAP). Enterprise customers include Royal Caribbean, Kalahari Resorts, Life Time Fitness, URBNSURF, Xcaret, and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection; municipal and park district clients include Park Ridge Park District.

Name

StarGuard ELITE

Legal name

Starguard Elite, LLC

Website

https://starguardelite.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

StarGuard ELITE is an evidence-based aquatic risk prevention agency providing lifeguard training, on-site safety audits, consulting, attraction commissioning, and annual conferences to 400+ organizations across 27 countries via proprietary digital platforms and a network of authorized training centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aquatic Risk Prevention Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Lifeguard, Water Rescue & Aquatic Safety Training (EDAOAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Safety, Lifeguarding & Training Services (Staffing, Certification) (THAAABAL), Aquatics Programs (Pools, Swim Lessons, Lifeguarding) (EDALAIAF)

Keywords

• Lifeguard training programs
• Aquatic safety audits
• Risk prevention consulting
• Water attraction commissioning
• Aquatic certification services

Headquarters

HQ city

Orlando

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Training Programs & Certifications: SGE offers world-class training programs and certifications for lifeguards, slide attendants, instructors, supervisors, and advanced first aid. Programs are delivered through authorized training centers globally. The company partners with Health & Safety Institute (HSI/ASHI) for CPR, AED, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogen, and Emergency Oxygen certifications. Revenue is generated through course fees, certification fees, and licensing of training programs to authorized training centers.
2. Aquatic Safety Audits: SGE provides on-site unannounced external safety audits conducted by experienced industry professionals. Includes observation of lifeguards, slide dispatch, supervisors; skills and scenario testing; facility operational safety review; and operational documentation review. Conducted digitally through the SGE Portal. The company also provides a free internal audit program for clients.
3. Aquatic Risk Prevention (ARP) Program: Comprehensive bundled program including establishment as a StarGuard/HSI Training Center, certification and licensing services, SGE Portal access, audit programs, on-site visits, CAMP conference registration, and designated Client Partner support. Sold as an annual service contract to aquatic facilities.
4. Conference for Aquatic Management Professionals (CAMP): Annual professional development conferences (CAMP and Training CAMP) generating revenue through registration fees. CAMP registration ranges from $2,150-$3,000 per attendee; Training CAMP from $850-$1,250. Additional revenue from optional Instructor Development Courses (IDC) and optional accommodation packages.
5. Safety & Regulatory Compliance Consulting: Consulting services including conceptual design and plan reviews, staffing recommendations, aquatic operational reviews, facility risk assessments, operational development/re-development, physical facility inspections, code compliance, post-incident support, and attraction consulting. Provided on a project or retainer basis.
6. Attraction Testing and Commissioning: Third-party commissioning services for water attractions including waterslides, children's attractions, surf attractions, wave pools, and rivers. Includes comprehensive review and documented testing per proprietary commissioning guidelines. Revenue generated as a project fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

StarGuard ELITE is an aquatic risk prevention agency that delivers evidence-based lifeguard and aquatic safety training, on-site unannounced safety audits, risk prevention consulting, and attraction commissioning services to aquatic facilities worldwide. The company licenses its StarGuard Lifeguard Training and Certification Program through 400+ authorized training centers in 27 countries and supports clients via a proprietary digital ecosystem (SGE Portal and internal LMS).

Product overview

StarGuard ELITE offers a unified platform-plus-services model centered on aquatic safety risk prevention. The core offering is the StarGuard Lifeguard Training & Certification Program—a proprietary evidence-based curriculum offered through 400+ authorized training centers in 27 countries. Supporting this are two proprietary digital platforms: the SGE Portal for operational management (certifications, audits, zone management, safety events) and the SGE Internal LMS launched August 2025 for training delivery. The service portfolio includes on-site safety audits (external and internal), risk prevention consulting, attraction testing/commissioning, the ARP (Aquatic Risk Prevention) program bundling these services, Instructor Development Courses (IDC), and the CAMP conference series featuring flagship CAMP events aboard Royal Caribbean cruises and new Training CAMP events at resort venues. A December 2025 partnership initiative also extends services into freediving safety standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• StarGuard Lifeguard Training and Certification Program Evidence-based lifeguard training curriculum and internationally recognized certification program with adult learner methodologies, covering CPR, AED, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogen, and Emergency Oxygen training delivered in partnership with Health & Safety Institute (HSI/ASHI). Delivered to aquatic facilities globally through authorized training centers.
• Aquatic Safety Audits On-site unannounced safety audits providing objective-based scoring methodology to help aquatic facilities identify risks and implement corrective actions. Includes observation of lifeguards, slide dispatch, and supervisors; skills and scenario testing; facility operational safety review; and operational documentation review. Conducted digitally through the SGE Portal. Both external audits by SGE auditors and a free internal audit program for clients are offered.
• Risk Prevention Consulting Comprehensive safety and operational expertise services spanning conceptual design reviews, staffing recommendations, operational development and re-development, physical facility inspections, code compliance, post-incident support, and attraction consulting. Provided on a project or retainer basis.
• Aquatic Risk Prevention (ARP) Program Comprehensive bundled program including establishment as a StarGuard/HSI Training Center, certification and licensing services, SGE Portal access, internal and external audit programs, on-site visits, CAMP conference registration, and designated Client Partner support. Sold as an annual service contract to aquatic facilities.
• Attraction Testing and Commissioning Proprietary third-party commissioning program for water attractions including waterslides, children's attractions, surf attractions, wave pools, and rivers. Includes comprehensive review and documented testing per proprietary commissioning guidelines. Revenue generated as a project fee.
• SGE Internal Learning Management System (LMS) Proprietary internal learning management system launched August 2025 that replaces third-party LMS dependencies. Provides real-time student progress tracking, enhanced instructor dashboards with granular course visibility, and a seamless in-portal learning experience without external redirects.
• SGE Portal (Lifeguard Portal) Proprietary digital web-based platform for aquatic facility operators managing courses, certifications, audits, training operations, and facility documentation. Features include certification management, training resources, facility management tools, internal audits, zone management, and safety event documentation.
• CAMP (Conference for Aquatic Management Professionals) Premier annual training and professional development conference for aquatic safety professionals featuring educational sessions, industry trends, operational benchmarking, medical director updates, hands-on workshops, site visits, and networking opportunities. Held in Orlando aboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships and other global locations including Chicago, Phoenix, Dubai, and Bahamas.
• Training CAMP Four-day training event combining CAMP conference highlights with the Instructor Development Course (IDC). Hosted at resort venues such as Kalahari Resorts with benchmarking at local aquatic facilities. Focus on training, safety trends, emergency response, experiential sessions with Medical Directors, industry roundtables, and site visits.
• Instructor Development Course (IDC) Certification and renewal program for individuals seeking instructor certification or renewing existing credentials. Part of the training ecosystem supporting the lifeguard certification pathway.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000+ certifications issued annually
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Deep End FitnesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 December 2025StarGuard ELITE, Deep End Fitness, and U.S. Freediving Federation launched a national initiative in December 2025 to establish safety standards for pools to facilitate freediving in the U.S. The initiative aims to improve safety guidelines and trainer certification to boost domestic freediving participation.
• U.S. Freediving FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 December 2025StarGuard ELITE, Deep End Fitness, and U.S. Freediving Federation launched a national initiative in December 2025 to establish safety standards for pools to facilitate freediving in the U.S. The initiative aims to improve safety guidelines and trainer certification to boost domestic freediving participation.
• Health & Safety Institute (HSI, formerly ASHI)coreTechnology or IntegrationSGE partners with HSI for all CPR, AED, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogen, and Emergency Oxygen training elements used in the StarGuard program. HSI issues certifications on behalf of SGE. The StarGuard program is established as a StarGuard and HSI Training Center for all affiliated facilities.
• Royal CaribbeancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoyal Caribbean hosts SGE's annual CAMP conference aboard its cruise ships (most recently Utopia of the Seas). Royal Caribbean also serves as a major client with the SGE program deployed fleet-wide. SGE conducts aquatic safety training and audits for Royal Caribbean's cruise ship operations.
• Kalahari Resorts & ConventionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKalahari Resorts & Conventions hosts SGE's inaugural Training CAMP 2027 at its Round Rock, Texas property. The resort features one of America's largest indoor waterparks (223,000 sq ft) with 975 guest rooms and serves as both a client and conference host venue.
• CMAHC (Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSGE was the first lifeguard training program to receive CMAHC certification. CMAHC is a nonprofit organization that reviews and develops the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC), a guidance document for state and local health departments on pool code improvements.
• CMAHCcoreOthersSGE is a proud member and supporter of CMAHC.
• World Waterpark Association (WWA)coreOthersSGE is a proud member and supporter of the World Waterpark Association. Exhibits annually at WWA Symposium & Trade Show (Paris Las Vegas, October 2026).
• IAAPAcoreOthersSGE is a proud member and supporter of IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions). Exhibits at IAAPA Expo North America (Orlando, Booth #S1841) and IAAPA Expo Middle East (Abu Dhabi, Booth #11-224).
• NRPA (National Recreation and Park Association)coreOthersSGE is a proud member and supporter of NRPA.
• AOAP (Association of Aquatic Professionals)coreOthersSGE is a proud member and supporter of AOAP. Exhibits at AOAP's International Aquatics & Water Safety Conference and Exposition (Reno, Booth #103).
• Surf Park CentralminorOthersSGE is a proud member and supporter of Surf Park Central. Exhibits at Surf Park Summit (Atlantic Park, Virginia Beach, Booth #2).
• WLSL (World Leisure Swimming)minorOthersSGE is a proud member and supporter of World Leisure Swimming (WLSL).
• Stop Drowning NowminorOthersSGE is a proud member and supporter of Stop Drowning Now (SDN), a nonprofit organization focused on drowning prevention.
• Life TimeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLife Time aquatics centers in Austin are used as training venues for Training CAMP 2027 Lifeguard Instructor sessions. Life Time operates premium, resort-style aquatic clubs with year-round indoor lap pools and seasonal outdoor Beach Club venues.
• City of Austin - Parks & RecreationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCity of Austin's Aquatic Division operates 45 public aquatic facilities and serves as a benchmarking site for Training CAMP 2027. Austin's aquatic operation includes 7 Regional pools, 3 Community pools, 22 Neighborhood pools, 1 Wading pool, Barton Springs Pool, and 11 splash pads — one of the most diverse and complex of any major city in the U.S.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• NASCO (National Aquatic Safety Company): Aquatic safety training and equipment provider serving municipal pools, YMCAs, and schools. Comparable target customer base (municipal/community aquatics) and overlapping lifeguard/CPR training offerings.

Direct peers

• Ellis & Associates (Jeff Ellis & Associates): One of the most established lifeguard training, certification, and aquatic risk management agencies in the U.S. Directly comparable to StarGuard ELITE in core offering (lifeguard certification, audits, aquatic safety programs) and target customers (waterparks, resorts, municipalities).
• American Aquatics and Safety Training: Provides lifeguard training, CPR/First Aid certification, and aquatic safety management serving California and broader U.S. markets. Direct comparable on training programs and facility safety services.
• Lifesaving Resources LLC: Provides lifeguard, CPR, first aid, and aquatic safety training and consulting to pools, waterparks, and open-water venues. Direct comparable on training programs, consulting, and aquatic risk management services.
• Starfish Aquatics Institute: Direct peer offering lifeguard training, swim instruction certification, and aquatic safety programs; notably shares Dr. Seth Collings Hawkins as an overlapping Medical Director, indicating closely comparable protocol rigor and target market.
• British Swim School: Franchise-based swim instruction provider with strong overlap on water safety training and curriculum for children; SGE exhibited at the British Swim School Franchisee Convention, signaling competitive awareness. Comparable in targeting aquatics safety education at scale.
• International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA): International body for surf lifeguard training, certification, and competition; Dr. Justin Sempsrott (SGE's Medical Director) leads ISLA. Highly comparable on open-water and surf-specific aquatic safety training and certification.

Broad incumbents

• American Red Cross (Aquatic Services): The dominant mass-market lifeguard training and CPR/First Aid certification provider in the U.S. Overlaps with SGE on lifeguard certification and aquatic safety training but operates at vastly larger scale and across many non-aquatic verticals.
• YMCA of the USA (Aquatics Programs): Major operator of aquatics facilities and provider of in-house lifeguard training for YMCA branches and partner facilities. SGE serves multiple YMCA-affiliated clients, indicating YMCA is both a customer and a competing training provider.

Regional players

• U.S. Swim School Association: Industry association supporting swim schools with curriculum, certification, and safety standards; SGE is a member and exhibits at its national conference. Comparable as a swim-safety training ecosystem, but USSSA is membership-driven rather than a direct training provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/starguardelite

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about StarGuard ELITE