Oceanside Junior Lifeguard Program

We are so proud of Nathan!

On November 2, 2025, Nathan Usher, a 12-year-old junior lifeguard, assisted in a coordinated water rescue after a 25-foot recreational powerboat capsized near the Oceanside Harbor jetty in Oceanside, California, after being struck by breaking surf. The capsizing caused five people to enter the water. Usher was on his family’s fishing boat nearby while participating in an authorized junior lifeguard program when he observed the incident.

Officials stated that Usher used his training to help support rescue efforts by waving down a nearby personal watercraft and directing the operator to assist people in the water. He worked with personal watercraft operators to help remove three individuals from the water, provided basic first aid to a person with a leg injury, and offered his own clothing to help another individual stay warm.

Lifeguards, marine safety personnel, and nearby boaters worked together to bring all five people safely to shore. Three individuals were transported to a local hospital for evaluation of minor injuries, and no life-threatening conditions were reported.

(Photo: Nathan Usher)