Howard Ganza's girlfriend Amy has stolen a book that belongs to him. She is chased by Vincent, Ganza's helper. When Amy arrives to the beach, she ends up in the middle of the rookie competition. Without knowing it, she becomes one of the first to enter the finish line, and by doing so, she becomes a member of rookie school.
This long-running series follows the adventures of a team of lifeguards on the crowded beaches of Los Angeles County. Veteran lifeguard Mitch Buchannon watches over the younger lifeguards that come and go with each passing season as they keep the beaches safe for vacationers. Frequently he must take action to save them from the raging seas and from the raging tempers that sometimes flare up between the young guards in this stressful job.