Rick Carlson, Sam Elliott, is a 32-year-old lifeguard in Southern California who enjoys a commitment-free life filled with casual relationships. For the summer, he mentors Chris Randolph, a college student who works as a weekend assistant, and he continues to feel content with his profession even as his father presses him to take a better-paying, more traditional job. A mail invitation to his 15-year high school reunion arrives, stirring the possibility of revisiting the past.
While on duty, Rick meets Wendy, a 17-year-old newcomer to the area who quickly fixes her attention on him. Wendy’s infatuation is clear, but Rick keeps his distance emotionally due to the age difference, choosing instead to stay friendly. An old high school friend, Larry, reappears with news from the Porsche dealership he now helps run; he hints at a higher salary and even mentions Cathy, Rick’s former flame who is now divorced and expected at the reunion. The prospect of reconnecting with Cathy nudges Rick to attend the reunion.
Wendy’s pursuit continues, and under her insistence, Rick eventually gives in and has sex with her in the lifeguard tower. On the night of the reunion, a surprised Wendy appears at Rick’s apartment door, only to realize he is an adult in his thirties. She concedes that the age difference might be less of an obstacle than she first assumed.
At the reunion, former classmates trade stories about their careers. Rick feels some embarrassment about still being a lifeguard and spins a tale about his outdoor job to explain his tan. He crosses paths with Cathy, and the two reconnect and begin to rekindle their romance. The following day, Rick and Chris participate in the annual lifeguard relay, but Rick is outpaced by younger competitors. He then goes to interview at the Porsche dealership and makes a good impression on Mr. Gilmore, Larry’s partner, thanks to how seriously he takes his lifeguard duties.
When Wendy returns, she presses Rick for when they’ll be intimate again. He declines, saying their relationship would be illegal and suggesting that she find someone closer to her own age. He also hints that he is involved with someone else, an assertion he tries to soften with comfort for her. A few days later, he spots Wendy swimming and jumps in to rescue her. Wendy confesses that she’s trying to kill herself, and Rick carries her ashore, walking her to her car. He reassures her that when school starts on Monday she will begin to make new friends.
Shaken by the incident, Rick visits Cathy at her art gallery to tell her what happened. Cathy offers support and invites him to move in with her. During their conversation, a demanding male client interrupts Cathy, prompting Rick to speak sharply and risk Cathy’s standing at the gallery. He later apologizes for his outburst and says he’ll think about the living arrangement.
As summer winds down, Larry returns with another job offer at the Porsche dealership, but this time Rick declines, choosing to remain a lifeguard “as long as they’ll have me.” He ends the season with gratitude as Chris thanks him for everything he taught him.
In a final, uneasy moment, Rick is summoned to the beach changing room by a hysterical woman who says a man is inside. Rick asks the mysterious figure what he’s doing in the ladies’ room, and the man claims to be a undercover police officer conducting surveillance—yet he admits he doesn’t have his badge. The scene closes with a sense of unresolved tension as the summer ends.
