The 2026 Lifeguard Awards presented by the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Big Chill Beach Club will return on Tuesday, August 11 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This annual celebration honors the outstanding men and women of the ten beach patrols serving the Quiet Resorts area, including Bethany Beach, Delaware Seashore State Park, Fenwick Island, Middlesex, North Bethany, Ocean Village, Seabreak, Sea Colony, South Bethany, and Sussex Shores Beach Patrol. Each patrol has nominated a “Lifeguard of the Year” to be honored at the ceremony.

This community celebration will kick off in Big Chill Beach Club’s event tent at 6 p.m. with a taco bar, cash bar, amazing views, and tunes by DJ Bump. The awards ceremony will commence at 7 p.m. and will recognize each patrol’s “Lifeguard of the Year.”

The ceremony will also recognize members of the 2026 Sussex County Lifesaving Association for their achievements at this year’s United States Lifesaving Association National Lifeguard Championship. The Chamber sponsors the travel of guards to USLA Nationals annually, this year helping to fund the SCLA’s presence in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The generosity of sponsor support makes this event possible and free for guards to attend. The 2026 sponsors are Presenting Sponsor: Big Chill Beach Club; Supporting Sponsors: Fells Point Surf Co. and Taylor Bank; Patrol Sponsors: Banks Wines & Spirits, Law Offices of Scott & Shuman, P.A., Mediacom, PNC Bank, Sea Colony Recreation, and Surfin’ Betty’s Burger Bar; Buoy Sponsor: Bank of Ocean City, Community Bank Delaware, L&W Insurance, Pelican Property Management, and Scherer Financial Advisors; and Whistle Sponsors: Clove and Cedar Coffeebar and Gladwyn Financial Advisors.

This year’s event features a limited-edition event t-shirt including all ten patrol rosters, sponsored by Fells Point Surf Co. All guards who register by August 1 will receive a free t-shirt. Lifeguards who register on-site will receive a discounted rate for t-shirts. Families and guests of guards are invited to attend the event for $10, with shirts available for sale for $15. Proceeds of shirt sales support the SCLA. Online registration and shirt sales are available for family and community members at thequietresorts.com. Complimentary parking will be provided for all registered guests.

For more information, including event registration, shirt sales, and past “Lifeguard of the Year” award recipients, visit thequietresorts.com/lifeguard-awards.