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Johnson glad he answered the call to become an SCBP lifeguard
- SCRA Marketing
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
On vigilant watch. On guard. On the stand. On their toes.
That is the job each day for a Sea Colony Beach Patrol lifeguard from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. between May 17 through Oct. 13, and until 6 p.m. between June 14 through Sept. 1.
While virtually everyone else around them on the beach is cavorting, reading, sleeping, talking or just taking in the magical salt air, the Guardians by the Sea are ready to spring into action.
Even while being cordial to those who approach the lifeguard stand, they are always on alert. Their eyes remain on the swimmers even while they are sipping and chewing for sustenance during the long beach day.
Someone’s life may be in danger.
And they are the ones who can rescue swimmers in need.
The Coastal Point is spotlighting one of these Guardians by the Sea with a beach lifeguard feature story each week during the summer season.
Answering the call to become a lifeguard
Sea Colony Beach Patrol lifeguard Joshua “J.J.” Johnson remembers when he got the call to be on the stand.
“It was during the high school swim season of my junior year,” said Johnson, a resident of Georgetown. “My swim coach, Kelsey Fowler, a longtime Sea Colony guard, offered my best friend, Aidan Suscavage, and me the opportunity to try out. It was the best decision I could’ve made.
“If you have the opportunity to become a beach lifeguard, you’ll meet and be a part of such an amazing community,” he added. “It’ll be like a completely different lifestyle that you’ll love. And you’ll look your best and be in the best shape of your life.”
Sea Colony Beach Patrol
The Sea Colony Beach Patrol, which oversees half a mile of private beach, is a United States Lifeguard Association Advanced Certified Agency consisting of 21 guards who are each certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding, CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Emergency Medical Response.
Each of the six lifeguard stands are located in front of the Sea Colony high-rise condominiums near Bethany Beach. SCBP lifeguards respond to land and water emergencies, and they provide information and education about hazards in the sun, weather and ocean. SCBP beach lifeguards train daily to prepare for any situation on land or in water, and they constantly strive to exceed their high standards of open water safety.
His most memorable experience
Johnson said one of his most memorable experiences was enduring rookie training and suffering together with the other first-year guards to push through and become official lifeguards.
The 5-foot-9 native of Seaford said becoming a lifeguard “means that people rely on you to set a good example and ensure that everyone stays safe. Being prepared is the easiest part of the job,” he said. “You’re following the same routine each day, but I must ensure that we have everything we need to help us in a challenging situation. The toughest responsibility of the job is being mentally and physically ready at all times for anything that could happen.”
Johnson credited fellow lifeguard Suscavage with having a profound impact on his decision to be on the stand.
“Aidan is also on the Sea Colony Beach Patrol, and we do everything together,” said Johnson. “He’s always pushing me to do better in academics or working out, or just being a good person.”
Johnson’s short-term goal is “to just make summer last, and enjoy it. My long-term goal is to graduate from college and enter the Delaware State Trooper Academy,” he said.
Article by Mike Stern, Coastal Point, June 6, 2025
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