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St Augustine Lifesaving Assoc.

@sala.fl

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Est. 1993
•Non-profit organization devoted to promoting beach safety and prevention through public education and high levels of lifeguard training•

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Kicked off our annual Polar Bear Swim with an extra hour of sleep🙌🏼

Ran and swam 3km through washing machine surf. Gotta stay ready to make a rescue in any condition.

Polar Bear Swims every Sunday of off season at 9am.

Next week - 11/8 North Beach
Following week - 11/15 South Beach

DM us for more details by @sala.fl

Introducing your 2026-2027 SALA Executive Board🌊
Swipe to learn more about them🌞

President: Max Balch

Max has been a part of SALA and SJC Marine Rescue for 6 years. After attending college for Dance, she practiced as a yoga instructor, traveled internationally, and more recently spent a year and a half sailing around the pacific and southern ocean. She worked as a seasonal lifeguard and zone supervisor for 5 years before becoming a @sjcfirerescue Firefighter in January 2026. Max previously served as SALA’s Vice President and Comp Team Captain before becoming President. Her favorite events to compete in are Landline & American/International Iron Man. Max enjoys spending time near the ocean and protecting and serving the people in the city she grew up in!

Vice President: Tyrel Emig

Tyrel just finished his 5th year as a SJC lifeguard. While attending Flagler College, he was a part of the Cross Country and Track and Field team. He enjoys being a part of the competition team, competing in the sprinting events.

Treasurer: Jake Tustin

Jake has been a SJC lifeguard for 9 years, moving from seasonal guard to full-time staff. He attended the University of South Florida and worked as an accountant before transitioning to a full-time Marine Rescue position. Jake loves anything in the water including swimming, surfing, fishing!

Secretary: Clare Cassidy

Clare just finished her 7th summer as an ocean lifeguard. Before that, she was a junior guard and has been competing in surf lifesaving sport events since she was 9. She graduated in 2025 from Flagler College with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art and is currently an Administrative Assistant at the St. Augustine Art Association. She is a retired competitive swimmer but running has been her new sport of choice. Clare enjoys educating the public on ocean safety and welcoming new people to the lifesaving community!

Member Communications: Devin Mantei

Devin began lifeguarding in 2024 after graduating from Florida Southern College. She is currently attending the University of St. Augustine for her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. A former pro by @sala.fl

New Moon - New Event🌑
🧘🏼‍♀️Come join us as our president, Max Balch, leads us through a yoga class under the light of the new moon
📅When: Friday, October 9th at 6 PM
📍Where: Lawn in front of the MR office
🌕Class is donation based, with all proceeds going towards SALA
Bring your own mat or towel. We hope to see you there! by @sala.fl

Off-season swim practices begin TOMORROW!
🏊🏻‍♀️ Come join us every Monday and Thursday at 6:30pm at the Solomon Calhoun pool until March 29th, 2027
💦 Mondays will be SALA run and Thursday will be @sjcmarinerescue run
🌊 Off-season swim practices are a great way to stay in lifeguard shape and prepare for the 2027 season. We hope to see you there! by @sala.fl

The County Kickball Tournament is this week! 🏃‍♂️

📆Don’t miss out this Friday, Oct. 2nd, at 6pm. Meet us at Treaty Park for a fun and competitive night.

If you haven’t yet, join our team by signing up on our bulletin board at the Pier Office, or come out to support the Lifeguards as we defend our title!🏆 by @sala.fl

Join us for a Full Moon Paddle🌝
Mark your calendars!
📅 Saturday, September 26th at 7:30pm
Meet at the Lighthouse Boat Ramp with your choice of craft (bring your own or reserve one through SALA)🛶
*Weather permitting by @sala.fl

Join us for a SALA Yard Sale on Saturday, October 3rd, 9am-2pm🎉

Mark your calendar! 📆
We will be setting up on the front yard at the Marine Rescue Office. Come by, hang out, and help support your local lifeguards.
Open to all!🛟

Want to donate? Have some stuff you want to get rid of but don’t want to deal with it? Message us or contact a SALA board member! by @sala.fl

Recap from the SALA Summer Send-Off Surf Comp 🏄🏼

What a fun way to close out our Summer season! Thank you all for coming out and supporting. And thank you to our award sponsors: @thedockusa & @aframesauce

Congratulations to the winners🎉

🏆Top Men’s:
1st - Kolton Kubart
2nd - Alex Gonzalez
3rd - Nick Damuth

🏆Top Women’s:
1st - Jessica Earl
2nd - Crosby Barber
3rd - Barb Tucker

🌊Best Wipeout/Dismount:
Ryan Aponte

🌝Be sure to join us for our final Full Moon Paddle on Sept. 26th at 7:30pm at the Lighthouse Boat Ramp by @sala.fl

Shout out to @thedockusa for sponsoring these custom bottle opener awards for our SALA Surf Comp! Thank you!🏄🏼

As a St. Augustine based non-profit, SALA prioritizes supporting our local businesses. It is important to us to connect with the community while spreading ocean safety awareness🌊 by @sala.fl

SALA Surf Competition Was a Success Women’s Top 3- 3rd- Barbra Tucker, 2nd- Crosby Barber, 1st- Cpt. Jessica Earl Men’s Top 3- 3rd- Nick Damuth, 2nd- Alex Gonzalez, 1st- Kolton Kubart STAY TUNED FOR MORE by @sala.fl

AUGUST MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS: Swipe to see what our members were up to in August!

Diogo Spiandorello and Ruben Anderson completed a 35-mile paddle around Anastasia Island. They began the journey at 5 am, paddling 10 hours with short breaks for hydration and fuel! Their paddle was in support of land conservation in St John’s County.

Zach Sargeant, Casey Lane, and Jake Tustin participated in the 21st annual Hammerhead Ocean Marathon 5k swim. They took off from the Jacksonville Lifeguard Station, swimming south before returning to the station to finish the 3.1-mile swim race. by @sala.fl

SALA Surf Comp!🏄🏼
RESCHEDULED:
Wednesday, September 9th

We will be setting up at the St. Augustine Beach Pier! Awards featuring @aframesauce & @thedockusa and more will be given to top women and men scorers. All are welcome to participate! 🌊

$5 SALA member $10 non-member by @sala.fl