California to Gulf Shores: All-American Swimmer Brings Lifeguard ‘Water Culture’
Erica Thomas • June 7, 2026
Experience in the water assist a local lifeguard
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (GSN) — Many people living in Baldwin County came from all over the nation. They are drawn by the sugar-white sands and beautiful landscapes of South Alabama. For one California native, she is doing more than her part in making the Gulf Coast a better place.
After graduating from the University of Alabama, Kailyn Winters, an All-American swimmer, moved to Baldwin County to join Gulf Shores Beach Rescue. For the past year, she has continued what she calls her “water culture” lifestyle and now she is inspiring the younger generation to hop on board.
As a lifeguard, Winter said she wants to teach beach safety and help kids develop a love for the water just as she did as a child.
Growing up, Winter participated in Junior Lifeguards, a national program for children and teens to experience what it means to be a lifeguard, develop skills and learn beach safety. Winter said the program also helped her explore and expand her athletic abilities.
“For me growing up, Junior Guards was an incredible part of my identity,” Winter added. “It was what I looked forward to every summer. Kids from all backgrounds, track kids, soccer players, football players, all came together and it gives you an appreciation for your peers.”
Now, Winter wants to bring a similar experience to kids in South Alabama. Gulf Shores Beach Rescue is already conducting some junior lifeguard camps this summer, but Winter hopes it becomes a tradition local kids look forward to every summer.
“We have such an amazing community here of young families and people who are really just dedicated to not only athletics, but also their communities, their community safety and this water lifestyle,” Winter said. “You know, I want us to continue to build that and continue to build the next generation of not only lifeguards, but watermen and waterwomen.”
Winter said the experience helps children and teens build confidence in themselves and their water skills.
This week, beginner camp for kids ages 10 to 15 is underway each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beginners are learning Gulf and beach safety, basic rescue skills and teamwork in a structured training environment. Another camp will take place next week.
“We're going to be teaching just the basics of beach safety,” Winter explained. “What I want kids to get out of this program is just how to be safe. How to be safe in the water. How to enjoy the beach and just be more informed.”
Gulf Shores Beach Rescue has also worked with Gulf Shores Elementary School to bring the Little Lifeguards program to the area. Little Lifeguards is a program for children ages 6 to 9.
“It will be so fun and they’re going to be adorable,” Winter said. It’ll be so cool and just tons of energy, tons of fun.”
Little Lifeguards will train two Saturdays in a row in classes of around 30 participants. They will learn basic Gulf water safety, what beach flags mean, how to spot hazards and simple rescue skills. A Gulf Research Program grant is supporting the program.
Gulf Shores Beach Rescue lifeguards will also hold an advanced academy, which requires tryouts for kids ages 10 to 16. Participants will learn advanced lifeguard techniques and undergo physical conditioning and endurance in a competitive training environment.
Beach Safety Chief for the Gulf Shores Fire Department, Joethan Phillips, said there has been a lot of interest in the expanding lifeguard program and the camps often springboard kids into more opportunities. For instance, some participants in the junior lifeguard camps have become paid lifeguards during the summer.
With Gulf Shores High School teaming up with the city, many students earn their American Red Cross certification and get an early career boost.
“They can get a vision of where they are going in their career, whatever they want to do,” Phillips said. “I think that our division helps them with that. You get the tools of discipline because working on the beach many days in a row and having to work out and putting yourself in those types of situations gives you discipline. So, I think what we do best of is prepare kids for their careers.”
Phillips said being a lifeguard is not always the path participants choose. Young lifeguards have gone on to medical school, the military and other careers where the discipline learned on the beach has come in handy.
Winter hopes to offer more camps in 2027 to give kids to more options. She compared her vision to that of other youth athletic programs. She said she hopes participants leave with the lifelong impact she had as a child in California.
“We’re very fond of our athletics programs for our youth and so I really hope that this will be like a transfer of that because we’re going to be having lifeguard regionals here at our beach in July,” she said.
Winter hopes the community becomes engaged in the program so it can expand.
“I want this to grow. I want this to keep growing,” Winter added. “This is just a step in the direction of where we want to go with it. What I foresee in the future is an all-summer-long program.
Winter said the initiative is another way Gulf Shores Fire Rescue and Beach Rescue are working to educate the public. For more information on the Junior Lifeguards program, click here.
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