Drew Smith - Founder
Drew was born and raised on the East End of Long Island, New York, and has dedicated his life to public safety, emergency response, and water rescue. He began his ocean lifeguarding career in 2005 with the Town of East Hampton before joining the Incorporated Village of East Hampton the following year.
Throughout his career, Drew has built extensive experience in both marine and emergency services. In 2011, he joined the East Hampton Fire Department before later serving with the New York City Fire Department as an EMT-B and subsequently promoting to the rank of Firefighter.
Drew later returned to the Incorporated Village of East Hampton as Beach Manager and Chief Lifeguard, where he managed more than 100 employees and administered numerous Ocean Lifeguard examinations. He currently serves as a Harbormaster with the Town of East Hampton, continuing to expand his expertise in water safety, boating, and marine operations.
While his roles and responsibilities have evolved over the years, one constant has remained — a commitment to protecting others both in and out of the water. For more than 16 years, Drew has been involved in teaching and administering Ocean Lifeguard courses and exams, emphasizing to students the importance of professionalism, preparedness, and mastering their craft as lifeguards.
In developing this training course in partnership with New York State, Drew combined real-world experience with proven training methods to create a practical, hands-on program designed to build a strong foundation and prepare students for the next stage of their careers on the water.
