The footage, provided by Instagram account @missionbeach.sd and recorded at Sail Bay in Mission Beach, shows children entering the water and participating in organized aquatic activities behind prominently displayed County of San Diego warning signs stating: "Bacteria levels exceed health standards. Contact with water may cause illness."
The children appear to be participating in activities associated with the City of San Diego's Junior Lifeguard Program, a popular summer program that teaches ocean safety, swimming, rescue techniques, physical fitness, and other lifeguarding-related skills to youth ages 7 through 17.
The video was recorded on Tuesday, June 9, one day after the program's first assessment day. On Monday, the official @sandiegojuniorlifeguards Instagram account posted, "Session 1 ASSESSMENT DAY.. It was so great to see all of our JGs today for their age group assessments."
According to the City of San Diego, Junior Lifeguard participants routinely engage in swimming, running, ocean and bay activities, paddleboarding, surfing, and other water-based exercises as part of the curriculum.
The footage comes as concerns about water quality in Mission Bay continue to grow. Just one day earlier, San Diego Coastkeeper highlighted alarming findings from its recently released Mission Bay Water Quality Monitoring Report, which documented persistently elevated bacteria levels in waterways feeding into Mission Bay. The report found that Rose Creek and Tecolote Creek exceeded recreational water quality standards at least half the time during the monitoring period.
"If you're exposed to water with high levels of bacteria and ingest a little bit or get some in a cut, that can cause an infection or gastrointestinal illness," San Diego Coastkeeper Executive Director Phillip Musegaas told local news.
The organization noted that elevated bacteria levels were found not only after storm events but also during dry-weather conditions, raising concerns that contamination sources may be ongoing.
While the warning signs posted at Sail Bay indicate bacteria levels exceeding state health standards, it remains unclear whether program organizers received any specific guidance regarding water-contact activities in the affected area.
The apparent decision to proceed with water activities despite posted advisories may raise questions among parents and public health advocates, particularly given that the participants are minors.
The County of San Diego routinely issues advisories when bacteria levels exceed state standards. Unlike full beach closures, advisories do not prohibit water access but warn the public that entering the water may increase the risk of illness.
Mission Bay remains one of San Diego's most heavily used recreational waterways, hosting swimmers, paddlers, youth programs, and other water-based activities throughout the year.
SanDiegoVille has reached out to the San Diego Junior Lifeguard Program for comment regarding the activities shown in the video and whether any precautions or alternative arrangements were considered in light of the posted advisory.
Originally published on June 9, 2026.
