Outer Banks Water Safety
Built by Lifeguards
Decades of Ocean Rescue Experience
Established in September 2025, Outer Banks Water Safety is a service backed by over 30 years of combined ocean rescue experience both locally and internationally. We proudly serve the town of Duck, NC, providing a full ocean rescue service to ensure residents and visitors can enjoy the water with confidence.
OUR MISSIONS & VALUES
The Foundation of OBWS
Mission-Focused
Integrity
We operate with a singular focus: the safety of our beaches. Our commitments are built on transparency, reliability, and the unwavering dedication of professional rescuers.
Hands-on
Leadership
Our leadership isn't behind a desk; it’s rooted in decades of active rescue work. We lead from the front, bringing real-world sand-and-saltwater experience to every decision.
Community Trust
Local roots meet international standards. We leverage deep knowledge of the North Carolina coastline to provide high-level safety that locals and visitors trust.
Our Leadership Team
Combining decades of Outer Banks rescue experience with international water safety certification standards.
Riley Young
DIRECTOR
Riley is a part-time Dare County EMT with over 15 years of combined ocean rescue experience across the Towns of Duck, Nags Head, and the Australian Lifeguard Service.
Originally from Queensland, Australia, Riley has combined frontline emergency medical training with extensive lifeguarding experience since relocating to the Outer Banks in 2016. His leadership style is hands-on and disciplined, grounded in professional water safety standards both locally and internationally.
Bri Young
OPERATIONS SUPPORT
Bri is an Outer Banks native and highly experienced ocean lifeguard with 15 years of professional ocean rescue expertise.
As the owner of Outer Surf and a respected big-wave surfer, she possesses an intimate understanding of local surf conditions and coastal hazards. Bri’s lifelong connection to the ocean brings invaluable local knowledge and credibility to our water safety mission.
Our Approach
"The most successful rescue is the one that never has to happen."
At Outer Banks Water Safety, prevention is at the core of everything we do. Through professional lifeguarding, public education, proactive beach management, and rapid emergency response, we work to keep locals and visitors safe while preserving a positive beach experience.