South Walton Fire District lifeguards start 2017 season

March 3, 2017

14 towers, 5 wheelchair locations

South Walton Fire District (SWFD) lifeguards have reported to their 14 tower locations March 1, 2017 and will continue to staff until the end of the season on September 30, 2017.

This is the 12th year that SWFD and South Walton Tourist Development Council have partnered to provide the Beach Safety and Education Program. In addition, 2017 marks the 3rd year of partnership between SWFD and Sandestin Owners Association (SOA) and the 1st year between SWFD and Rosemary Beach Owners Association (ROA).

New lifeguards completed their initial 104-hour training academy, while returning guards completed their recertification. The training consists of medical training, surf rescue techniques and beach and water surveillance techniques along with complete strength and stamina conditioning. “Keeping our visitors safe is our top priority. We are proud of the men and women that have completed this rigorous training and are ready to protect our beach visitors”, said David Vaughan Beach Safety Director.

SWFD lifeguards will be on duty every day from 10am-6pm. For further information, including tower locations and lifeguard employment, please contact David Vaughan, Beach Safety Director at 850-267-1298 or visit our website at www.swfd.org.

inletlifeguard21Walton County’s beaches in Miramar Beach and along Scenic Highway 30A offer many public beach accesses. South Walton Fire District lifeguards are stationed at 14 locations. These locations offer adequate parking, restroom facilities and some offer handicap access with wheelchairs available.

Lifeguards are on duty from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., seven days a week from March 1 to Sept. 30.

Here is a list of beach access locations from east to west:

Tower 1 – Inlet Beach Access click here for map
Located 3/4 mile east of the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Scenic Hwy. 30A, turn south on Orange Street
• Lifeguards • Portable restrooms • Parking • ADA access/wheelchair available

Tower 2 – Rosemary Beach Walkover C – click here for map
• Lifeguards

Tower 3 – Rosemary Beach Walkover G – click here for map
• Lifeguards • ADA access

Vann Ness access has ample parking and restrooms on the north of CR30A.
Vann Ness Butler access has ample parking and restrooms on the north of Scenic Hwy. 30A between WaterColor and Seaside.

Tower 4 – Grove Road/Santa Clara Streetclick here for map
Seagrove on Scenic Hwy. 30A
• Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • ADA access with wheelchair available

Tower 5 – Van Ness Butler, Jr. Accessclick here for map
Located between Seaside and WaterColor on Scenic Hwy. 30A
• Lifeguards • Restrooms • ADA access/wheelchair available • Ample parking lot on the north side of Scenic Hwy. 30A

Tower 6 – Grayton Beach (open spring 2017) – Click here for map
• Lifeguards • ADA access

Tower 7 – Blue Mountain Beach – Click here for map
• Lifeguards • Restrooms

Tower 8 – Gulf View Heights click here for map
Located 1/2 mile east of intersection County Roads 393 and Scenic Hwy. 30A, turn south on Gulfview Heights Street
• Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking

Ed Walline has parking, restrooms and lifeguards during the summer season.
Ed Walline has parking, restrooms and lifeguards.

Tower 9 – Ed Walline Accessclick here for map
Located at the intersection of 393 and Scenic Hwy. 30A
• Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • ADA access / wheelchair available

Tower 10 – Dune Allen/FT. Panic Accessclick here for map
Located west of County Road 393 on Scenic Hwy. 30A
• Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • ADA access

Tower 11 – Sandestin East – Hilton Beachhouse Restaurant – Resort guests only
• Lifeguards

Tower 12 – Sandestin West – Southwinds condo – Resort guests only
• Lifeguards

Tower 13 – BeachHouse condo – Geronimo Street – Click here for map
• Lifeguards

Tower 14 – Miramar Beach Access Pompano Joes click here for map
Located on Scenic Gulf Drive off of U.S. 98 in western Walton County
• Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • ADA access with wheelchair available

Click here for current beach water status