Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps

What Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps does

Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps (JBLC) is a private labor union founded in 1929 that represents approximately 135 lifeguards employed by New York State Parks at eight Long Island beach locations: Jones Beach, Robert Moses, Sunken Meadow, Heckscher, Wildwood, Orient Point, Hither Hills, and Montauk Downs. The organization operates under the umbrella of United University Professions (UUP), which serves as its parent union for collective bargaining, and participates in the New York State Lifeguard Corps (NYSLC) for statewide labor coordination. Its core function is union representation, including contract negotiations (notably a 2% raise and retro pay arrangement with New York State in 2013), workplace advocacy, and member services for state-employed lifeguards.

JBLC's product/service portfolio centers on three pillars: (1) core beach lifeguard services delivered through the state park system, (2) a Junior Lifeguard Program (launched at jbjg.org) for youth aged 10+ featuring USLA-sanctioned competition teams coached by Bob Adler (Head Trainer) and John McShane (Assistant Head Trainer), and (3) a calendar of community and competitive events including the annual Winter Party, the Polar Bear Dip (running since 1969 under Reggie Jones), Inter-Beach Races, and the JBLC Invitational. The organization also maintains an Alumni Project (initiated 2008) documenting every lifeguard since 1929. There is no proprietary technology, software platform, or AI capability disclosed; digital presence is limited to a Joomla-based website (jblc.net), Twitter (@JB_Lifeguard), and multiple Facebook groups.

The business model is fundamentally that of a public-sector labor union funded by member dues, with nominal auxiliary revenue from event admissions ($30 Christmas Party, $25 Junior Lifeguard registration, $5 tryout fees) and raffles. There is no commercial pricing model, no enterprise customers, no venture funding, and no revenue disclosure. Marketing is conducted through organic social channels (Facebook groups, Twitter) and word-of-mouth via the alumni network. Operating geographies are restricted to the Northeast USA / Long Island region, and the organization does not pursue geographic expansion as a commercial strategy.

Name

Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps

Legal name

Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps

Website

https://jblc.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps is a labor union founded in 1929 that represents approximately 135 lifeguards employed by New York State Parks at eight Long Island beaches, providing collective bargaining, a junior lifeguard program, and community events under the UUP umbrella.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Safety Lifeguard Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Safety, Lifeguarding & Training Services (Staffing, Certification) (THAAABAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aquatics Programs (Pools, Swim Lessons, Lifeguarding) (EDALAIAF)

Keywords

• Beach lifeguard services
• Public safety lifeguarding
• Junior lifeguard training
• Lifeguard racing competition
• Labor union representation

Headquarters

HQ city

Jones Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps is a labor union and lifeguard services organization that provides beach safety coverage at eight New York State Parks beaches on Long Island. Beyond direct lifeguard staffing, it operates a Junior Lifeguard Program for ages 10 and older, hosts competitive lifeguard racing events, runs social events such as the Annual Winter Party and Polar Bear Dip, and maintains an Alumni Project documenting lifeguards since 1929.

Product overview

Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps operates as a lifeguard service organization providing beach safety at multiple Long Island locations. The organization offers a unified set of programs including beach lifeguard services, a Junior Lifeguard Program for youth aged 10 and up, competitive lifeguard racing events (Inter-Beach Races, Invitational, USLA Regionals and Nationals), social events (Annual Winter Party, Polar Bear Dip), and an Alumni Project to document lifeguard history since 1929. The portfolio is centered on beach safety services and youth development through aquatic sports training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jones Beach Junior Lifeguard Program: Junior lifeguard competition team and training program for young athletes ages 10 and older, competing in USLA-sanctioned events locally, regionally, and nationally.

Products and services

• Beach Lifeguard Services Professional lifeguard coverage at eight New York State Parks beaches: Jones Beach, Robert Moses, Sunken Meadow, Heckscher, Wildwood, Orient Point, Hither Hills, and Montauk Downs.
• Junior Lifeguard Program Youth training and competition program for ages 10 and older, with annual tryouts held at Suffolk County Community College pool, competing in USLA-sanctioned events locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Polar Bear Dip Annual cold-water ocean plunge event led by Reggie Jones, the founder of the tradition since 1969, open to members and alumni.
• JBLC Inter-Beach Races Inter-beach racing competition between lifeguard corps members at various locations including Jones Beach and Robert Moses.
• JBLC Invitational Annual invitational lifeguard competition event hosted by the Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps.
• Annual Winter Party Annual winter celebration event featuring food, drinks, raffles, and fundraising for charitable causes, open to union members and non-union guests.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United University Professions (UUP)coreOthersParent union representing JBLC members. UUP is pressuring New York State for answers on pay issues including the 2% retro pay and Deficit Reduction Program money. JBLC operates under UUP's umbrella for collective bargaining.
• New York State Lifeguard Corps (NYSLC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide lifeguard union body. JBLC representatives participate in NYSLC meetings to address statewide issues affecting lifeguards including pay calibration problems in Albany.
• New York State ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary employer relationship. State provides lifeguard positions at multiple beaches including Jones Beach, Robert Moses, Sunken Meadow, Heckscher, Wildwood, Orient Point, Hither Hills, and Montauk Downs. State agreed to purchase kayaks and surfboards for rookie training in 2015.
• USLA (United States Lifesaving Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJBLC participates in USLA sanctioned competitive events including Regional Championships and National Lifeguard Championships. Junior Lifeguard Competition Team competes in USLA events. USLA membership included for competing Junior Lifeguards.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• YMCA Aquatics Programs: Major community-based provider of swim lessons, lifeguard training, and youth aquatics programs; an emerging/adjacent player that targets overlapping youth and certification audiences similar to JBLC's Junior Lifeguard Program.

Broad incumbents

• Surf Life Saving Australia: Australia's national volunteer lifeguard and surf lifesaving organization; comparable as a heritage lifeguard brand with strong competitive sports and youth development programs similar to JBLC's racing and Junior programs.
• American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program: The dominant national provider of lifeguard certification and training in the U.S.; a broad incumbent that competes with JBLC's training function and sets the de facto certification standard for the industry.
• Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI): UK-based heritage water rescue and lifeguard organization with a strong volunteer/membership model and youth programs; thematically comparable to JBLC as a long-standing aquatic safety organization with embedded community identity.
• United States Lifesaving Association (USLA): National governing body for open-water lifeguarding in the U.S.; JBLC competes in USLA-sanctioned events, making USLA the broad industry incumbent that sets standards and certifies lifeguard agencies nationwide.
• Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division: One of the largest public-sector lifeguard operations in the U.S.; a large established incumbent delivering beach lifeguard services at municipal scale, comparable to JBLC's public-sector model but at a much larger footprint.

Direct peers

• United University Professions (UUP): JBLC's parent public-sector union; directly comparable as a labor organization representing state employees, with JBLC functioning as a chapter within UUP's collective bargaining structure.
• Smith Point Lifeguard Corps: Long Island-based lifeguard corps serving Smith Point County Park; directly comparable as a regional lifeguard organization operating in the same geographic market with similar training and racing programs.
• New York State Lifeguard Corps (NYSLC): Statewide umbrella body of NY lifeguard unions under which JBLC operates; the most direct peer given JBLC's formal affiliation and shared collective bargaining agenda with New York State.
• Long Beach Lifeguard Association: Neighboring Long Island lifeguard organization serving Long Beach, NY; directly comparable as a community-rooted lifeguard corps operating on Long Island beaches with similar membership and racing traditions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/JB_Lifeguard
• Facebookfacebook.com/JBLifeguard
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jones-beach-lifeguard-corps

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps