The Avalon Ocean Club – Water Safety Program for Local Youth – is making strides on Catalina Island with its goal of building a connection between young people and the ocean that surrounds them. The club works with youths to teach them safety and confidence when engaging and connecting with the ocean.
With the help of the Newport Aquatic Center, the Avalon Ocean Club focuses on island youths and programs that help them.
NAC Avalon Ocean Club – Who Are We?
Dempsey Haynosch and Madison Feldman are Southern California Ocean Lifeguards and Junior Lifeguard Instructors with over fifteen years of combined experience in ocean safety, coaching, and program management. Their deep connection to the ocean fuels their work, and their commitment to youth development is shaping a new wave of opportunity in Avalon.
Recognizing the critical need for ocean safety education among local youth, Dempsey and Madison are leading efforts to create programs that offer safe, structured, and inspiring introductions to the ocean. But their impact goes beyond recreation.
The NAC Avalon Ocean Club is building pathways to careers in water safety, emergency response, and the maritime industry—sparking awareness and ambition among island youth. By providing accessible entry points into ocean-related fields, they are establishing a pipeline of opportunity for the next generation of water safety professionals and maritime workers.
Avalon is home to a small, close-knit community, with limited year-round programs that allow local children to safely explore the ocean in a structured way. Operating under the Newport Aquatic Center, the Ocean Club fills this gap, offering instruction in ocean swimming, safety, and paddling in a supportive and inclusive environment.
“Our program gives kids the chance to unplug, enjoy the outdoors, and explore the natural beauty that surrounds them.”
The mission of the NAC Avalon Ocean Club is to empower youth through ocean exploration and education, nurturing a deep respect and love for the sea while expanding their sense of possibility. Through engaging, educational, and safe ocean-based adventures, the program fosters personal growth, confidence, and resilience. Each experience is designed to guide participants toward becoming their best selves, while cultivating a lifelong connection to the ocean and the natural world.
Donations help break down financial barriers for families, making ocean safety education more accessible to all island kids. For more on the NAC and its programs, including the Avalon Ocean Club, visit newportaquaticcenter.com, or scan the QR code at right to link directly to the Avalon Ocean Club page and donation center on the site.
