2015 Nautica USLA National Championships – Presented by Brener Zwikel & Associates

Following is a summary of media relations results and activities on behalf of the USLA from Brener Zwikel & Associates for the 2015 Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships and ancillary events leading up to and following Nationals in Daytona Beach, Fla.

To date, 153 stories have run as a result of media outreach and follow-up from July – September 2015.

Overall, an audience of 82,377,883 was reached with a total of 153 clips that appeared in a variety of media outlets. Stories were placed on TV, print, online versions of daily and community newspapers and swimming-centric blogs/websites.

BZA was on-site for the event covering the USLA National Championships. BZA produced daily results press releases and distributed them to the various USLA chapter media markets, garnering coverage for local storylines and working with local/national broadcast and print media onsite at the event. An Associated Press story was also written, which was picked up by over 75 various outlets across the country.

BZA also ran the USLA social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter) over the course of the Championships, live-tweeting at events such as Beach Flag finals. The USLA Facebook and Twitter accounts gained new followers and were constantly updated with news and results. An estimated 10,700 people were reached via the USLA Facebook and over 50 tweets were composed on the USLA Twitter handle throughout the four day event.

Following is a summary of stories, media results and type of coverage achieved July – September 2015. Total Number of Internal/External Stories: 153 Estimated Audience: 82,377,883

[Estimated Audience = print circulation + online unique monthly visitors]

Media Results:

Page Outlet Type of Coverage Date Circulation/UMV 5 Swimming World Magazine (National) Mention 7/21/15 116,930 10 Volusia County Moms (Daytona Beach, Fla.) Calendar Listing 7/24/15 N/A 11 East Hampton Star (Hampton, N.Y.) Mention 7/30/15 57,468 12 News-Journal (Daytona Beach, Fla.) Feature 8/2/15 242,020 15 DNA Info (New York) Feature 8/3/15 1,563,998 18 News 12 (Long Island, N.Y.) TV Segment 8/4/15 724,448 19 News-Journal (Daytona Beach, Fla.) Mention 8/4/15 242,020 20 Swim Swam (National) Press Release 8/4/15 207,854 22 Topix (Daytona Beach, Fla.) Mention 8/4/15 6,542,420 23 WKMG, Clickorlando.com (Orlando, Fla.) TV Segment 8/5/15 965,773 25 Daytona Beach Breaking (Daytona Beach, Fla.) Calendar Listing 8/5/15 N/A 26 Gainesville Sun (Gainesville, Fla.) Calendar Listing 8/5/15 934,029 27 Jacksonville Magazine (Jacksonville, Fla.) Calendar Listing 8/5/15 N/A 29 Lifeguard Times (National) Feature 8/5/15 N/A 30 News-Journal (Daytona Beach, Fla.) Feature 8/5/15 242,020 31 News-Journal (Daytona Beach, Fla.) Feature 8/5/15 242,020 34 News-Journal (Daytona Beach, Fla.) Calendar Listing 8/5/15 242,020 38 Ocean City Sentinel (Ocean City, N.J.) Feature 8/5/15 N/A 40 Orlando Breaking News (Orlando, Fla.) Calendar Listing 8/5/15 N/A 41 Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.) Calendar Listing 8/5/15 2,816,154 42 Swim Swam (National) Press Release 8/5/15 207,854 47 Lifeguard Times (National) Feature 8/6/15 N/A 49 Lumina News (Wrightsville Beach, N.C.) Feature 8/6/15 3,000 50 Rockaway Times (Rockaway, N.Y.) Mention 8/6/15 10,000 51 St. Augustine Record (St. Augustine, Fla.) Feature 8/6/15 94,765 53 WKMG, Click Orlando (Orlando, Fla.) TV Segment 8/7/15 965,773 54 News-Journal (Daytona Beach, Fla.) Feature Video 8/7/15 242,020 55 My Informs (National) Feature 8/7/15 157,510 56 News-Journal (Daytona Beach, Fla.) Feature 8/7/15 242,020 59 News-Journal (Daytona Beach, Fla.) Feature 8/7/15 242,020 62 Styrk (National) Feature Video 8/7/15 N/A 63 Swim Swam (National) Press Release 8/7/15 207,854 70 Things Around Town (Daytona Beach, Fla.) Calendar Listing 8/7/15 N/A 71 WESH, NBC (Orlando, Fla.) TV Segment 8/7/15 421,016 73 Albany Times-Union (Albany, N.Y.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 796,969 74 Beaumont Enterprise (Beaumont, Texas) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 142,192 75 Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 338,712 76 Buck County Courier Times (Bucks County, Pa.)AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 N/A 77 Burlington County Times (Burlington, N.J.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 76,060 78 Chico Enterprise Record (Chico, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 84,002 79 Connecticut Post (Fairfield, Connecticut) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 365,581 80 Contra Costa Times (Contra Costa, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 372,786 81 Daily Commercial (Leesburg, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 44,405 82 Daily Journal (Franklin, Ind.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 82,885 83 Dispatch (Lexington, N.C.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 36,323 84 Express News (San Antonio) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 334,424 85 Fairfield Citizen (Bridgeport, Conn.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 N/A 86 FL News Hub (Florida) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 N/A 87 Fresno Bee (Fresno, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 327,497 88 Greenfield Daily Reporter (Greenfield, Ind.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 28,547 89 Greenwich Time (Greenwich, Conn.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 70,985 90 Herald Journal (Spartanburg, S.C.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 71,400 91 Herald-Tribune (Sarasota, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 276,219 92 Houma Today (Houma, La.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 57,924 93 Houston Chronicle (Houston) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 11,559,095 94 Intelligencer (Doylestown, Pa.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 73,061 95 KCBQ, AM 1170 (San Diego) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 N/A 96 KMPH, FOX (Fresno, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 44,278 97 KSAZ, FOX (Phoenix) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 497,950 98 KSBY, NBC (Santa Barbara, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 113,413 99 KTKZ, AM 1130 (Sacramento, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 N/A 100 KTTV, FOX (Los Angeles) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 645,555 101 KTVN, CBS (Reno, Nev.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 91,398 102 KTVU, FOX (San Francisco) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 374,855 103 KUSI (San Diego) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 96,012 104 KWWL, NBC (Iowa City, Iowa) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 134,581 105 Ledger (Lakeland, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 151,670 106 Lodi Sentinel News (Lodi, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 33,801 107 Merced Sun Star (Merced, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 67,678 108 Metro Bugle (Tampa, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 N/A 109 Miami Herald (Miami) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 1,749,871 110 Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 135,477 111 Monterey Herald (Monterey, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 123,570 112 Motherlode (California) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 49,406 113 MySanAntonio.com (San Antonio) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 985,047 114 News965 (Orlando, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 86,884 115 News-Journal (Daytona Beach, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 173,770 116 Newstral (National) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 31,918 117 New Jersey Herald (Sussex County, N.J.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 69,838 118 Ocala Star Banner (Ocala, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 133,088 119 Oroville Mercury Register (Oroville, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 24,443 120 Palm Beach Post (Palm Beach, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 859,521 121 Paradise Post (Paradise, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 N/A 122 Press of Atlantic City (Atlantic City, N.J.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 202,552 123 Press Telegram (Long Beach, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 130,758 124 Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 1,186,656 125 San Diego Union Tribune (San Diego) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 510,114 126 San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 789,299 127 San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 2,812,434 128 San Luis Obispo (San Luis, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 221,275 129 Santa Cruz Sentinel (Santa Cruz, Calif.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 278,465 130 Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 1,630,467 131 Seymour Tribune (Seymour, Ind.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 31,403 132 SF Gate (San Francisco) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 11,876,703 133 SNewsI (National) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 62,595 134 Stamford Advocate (Stamford, Conn.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 97,509 135 Star News (Wilmington, N.C.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 156,777 136 The Republic (Columbus, Ind.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 96,907 137 Tuscaloosa News (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 131,719 138 WALA, FOX (Mobile, Ala.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 149,170 139 Washington Times (D.C.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 4,275,541 140 WBBH, NBC (Fort Myers, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 371,836 141 WFLA, NBC (Tampa, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 575,983 142 WFLX, FOX (Palm Beach, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 25,909 143 WFTV, ABC (Orlando, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 1,089,226 144 WGUL, AM 860 (Tampa, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 N/A 145 WLSS, AM 930 (Sarasota, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 N/A 146 WNYW, FOX (New York) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 733,564 147 WOFL, FOX (Orlando, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 236,196 148 WPLG, ABC (Miami) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 683,916 149 WTVT, FOX (Tampa, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 539,126 150 WXTF, FOX (Philadelphia) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 931,223 151 WWOR, MyNetworkTV (New York City) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 26,324 152 WWSB, ABC (Sarasota, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 196,508 153 WZVN, ABC (Fort Myers, Fla.) AP Story Pickup 8/8/15 59,051 154 WKMG, Clickorlando.com (Orlando, Fla) Feature 8/8/15 965,773 156 News Reality (National) Feature Pickup 8/8/15 N/A 157 Swim Swam (National) Press Release 8/8/15 207,854 164 Bay News 9 (Tampa, Fla.) Feature 8/9/15 729,823 166 My News 13 (Orlando, Fla.) Feature 8/9/15 848,304 168 WCSC, CBS (Charleston, S.C.) Feature 8/9/15 209,412 169 27 East (Hampton, N.Y.) Feature 8/11/15 50,027 172 News Press (Santa Barbara, Calif.) Mention 8/11/15 48,886 173 Santa Cruz Sentinel (Santa Cruz, Calif.) Feature 8/11/15 301,930 174 Wofford College (Spartanburg, S.C.) Feature 8/11/15 35,670 175 Lifeguard Times (National) Video 8/11/15 N/A 176 Peking Press (Australia) Press Release 8/11/15 N/A 177 Port City Daily (Wilmington, N.C.) Feature 8/12/15 137,809 178 Swim Swam (National) Press Release 8/12/15 207,854 180 Swimming World Magazine (National) Press Release 8/12/15 166,930 183 WGMD, News Radio (Rehoboth Beach, Del.) Mention 8/12/15 N/A 184 East Hampton Star (Hampton, N.Y.) Feature 8/13/15 57,468 187 Middle Village NY (Middle Village, N.Y.) Feature Pickup 8/13/15 N/A 188 Port Times Record (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) Feature 8/13/15 N/A 192 Galveston Daily News (Galveston, Texas) Feature 8/14/15 63,480 193 GlendaleNY.com (Glendale, N.Y.) Feature Pickup 8/14/15 N/A 194 Lifeguard Times (National) Video 8/14/15 N/A 195 Moultrie News (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) Feature 8/14/15 28,225 198 News-Journal (Daytona Beach, Fla.) Feature 8/14/15 242,020 200 Queens Courier (Queens, N.Y.) Feature 8/14/15 64,601 203 The Rockawave (Rockawave, N.Y.) Feature 8/14/15 N/A 205 Destin Log (Destin, Fla.) Feature Pickup 8/15/15 7,618 207 NWF Daily News (Fort Walton Beach, Fla.) Feature 8/15/15 132,155 209 Easy Reader (Hermosa Beach, Calif.) Feature 8/16/15 87,857 211 The Ledger (Lakeland, Fla.) Mention 8/16/15 46,016 212 Palm Beach Post (Palm Beach, Fla.) Mention 8/17/15 964,856 213 Santa Cruz Sentinel (Santa Cruz, Calif.) Mention 8/25/15 301,930 214 Ventura County Star (Ventura, Calif.) Mention 8/25/15 207,382 215 Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Feature 8/30/15 1,598,800 216 Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Feature 8/31/15 1,598,800 219 Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Feature 9/2/15 1,598,800 222 Malibu Surfside News (Malibu, Hawaii) Feature 9/4/15 13,500 224 Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Mention 9/6/15 1,598,800

Total Unique Monthly Visitors: 82,377,883

By Alex Labonge, Swimming World College Intern

Swimming races regulated by USA Swimming and FINA follow a very specific and concrete set of rules. There is very little flexibility and every race holds the same basic pieces: climbing onto starting blocks, a dive, a few turns, and a finish on a wall. Some swimmers wish to use their athletic talents in ways outside of the pool, while still competing in an aquatic environment.

Swimmers: meet lifeguard competition.

The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) hosts a slew of competitions around the country for ocean lifeguards of all ages. There are over 100 chapters in the USLA that are divided into eight regions. The events range from open water swimming, to running, to rescues, to paddling, and relays. Time doesn’t matter in these races, it is strictly about beating out the fellow competitors.

These events are designed to test the athletes and push them to their physical and mental limits. There is the added element of swimming in the ocean, which is usually not as calm and predictable as your neighborhood swimming pool.

These events give swimmers especially a chance to break out of the mold of standard competition and compete in events where they must run into the water at full-speed, as well as learn to manipulate waves, troughs, rip currents, and many other obstacles. There is a physical aspect to these races that simply cannot be found in a pool. These races also allow the ocean rescue guards to fine-tune their lifesaving skills and be able to react in stressful work environments.

“It is a lot different than staring at a black line,” said Sawyer Dove, rising senior swimmer at UNC-Wilmington and second-year guard at Wrightsville Beach. “With the ocean you can have any kind of condition. The tides and sand bars are constantly changing and every race and event is unique. Being able to manage all of the unpredictability of competition in the ocean makes focusing on a pool race much easier.”

Individuals and relay teams score points for their respective beaches, which are divided into two categories, big beach and small beach, based on the number of guards they employ. These lifeguard competitions are a great way for swimmers to compete after their college careers come to an end. Participants in the events have no age limit, with special groups set up for the older competitors.

College swimming programs such as UNC-Wilmington encourage their swimmers to work and compete as beach lifeguards during the summer. The cross-training the swimmers receive helps them return to school in great shape in all areas of their training, not just in the pool.

“It is really cool being able to compete events where I can race while wearing giant rescue fins,” said first year guard and UNC-Wilmington swimmer Will Swiss. “It is something different that we can’t do in the pool in the swimming world.”

Wrightsville Beach won the Big Beach classification of the Southeast Regional Lifeguard Competition this past week in Carolina Beach, N.C. Their team is full of former and current college swimming and track athletes.

The next lifeguard competition will be the 2015 Nautica USLA Lifeguarding Championships held in Daytona Beach, Fla., on August 5-8. If you are in the area, be sure to check out this fierce competition, and look for it on television on a later date.

https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/lifeguard-competition-racing-beyond-the-pool/

http://www.volusiacountymoms.com/2015/07/national-lifeguard-championships-in-daytona-beach- 2015.html

http://easthamptonstar.com/Sports/2015730/Sports-Briefs-073015

DAYTONA BEACH – When more than 2,000 lifeguards and 500 junior lifeguards compete on the sand and waves starting Wednesday at the Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships, participants will bask in big-screen coverage worthy of a major sports stadium. Five 52-inch HD TV screens will offer spectators behind the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort up-close views of world-class competitors featuring images beamed from camera-equipped drones. How better to present an event that's akin to the Super Bowl of lifeguarding?

“That's a great way to put it,” said Charlie Lydecker, Daytona Beach businessman, championship masters swimmer and co-chairman of the 4-day event. The competition — unfolding Wednesday through Saturday — attracts top beach lifeguards from across the nation to sprint, swim, retrieve objects and test agility, stamina and mental toughness on the World's Most Famous Beach.

Click here to find out how to: SEND US YOUR PHOTOS

While the competitors showcase their skills, event organizers and tourism officials hope the event will showcase Daytona Beach as a destination ideally suited for more than spring breakers and Bike Week. Daytona Beach last hosted the event in 2004, but it is already scheduled to return in 2017.

“It's part of the diversification of the area,” said Volusia County Manager Jim Dinneen, a marathon runner who will be competing in the championship's 2K Beach Run event. “This is the kind of tourism we want; it's health-based. It's a different demographic and the more time you spend diversifying the demographic in a community, the stronger the economy.”

In addition to the 2,500 competitors, more than 6,000 spectators are expected to watch the free events from viewing stands on the Boardwalk behind the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, according to figures submitted by organizers to the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“We haven't had it for years and it's a big, big event,” said Bob Davis, president and CEO of the Hotel & Lodging Association of Volusia County. “It gets a lot of information about Daytona Beach to the rest of the country and the rest of the world. It's a high-class event.”

The big-screen TVs and camerawork provided by an Australian production company are designed to make events unfolding in the ocean as entertaining to spectators as any major professional sport, Lydecker said.

Instead of touchdown passes, lifeguards will battle in events such as the Rescue Board Race, in which contestants race with long surfboard-shaped rescue boards on a 30-meter course on sand and in the water. Landline Rescue, another event, involves a “victim” in the water, one rescue swimmer and two additional lifeguards pulling the victim ashore with a long rope.

“I think this is an event that people, if they could see it, would really like,” Dinneen said. “We believe that this beach and our area is naturally suited to the lifeguard championships. Along the Boardwalk and the Bandshell, you can be more actively involved with people walking by.”

Competition will generally conclude by 5 p.m. each day, allowing time for visitors to patronize area restaurants and attractions each evening. “We're putting on a show and we think there's an economic development component to that,” Lydecker said. “We want people to leave the beach, go use the restaurants in town and avail themselves of all that we have to offer. Our biggest asset is our weather and the beach, so this ties in nicely with our vision of ourselves as a sporting mecca.”

The event also will shine a spotlight on the skills of Volusia County's Lifeguard Corps, said Beach Director Mark Swanson, also a co-chairman of this week's championships. The Volusia County force includes 200 seasonal lifeguards and 125 full-time employees, the latter certified to act as medical technicians and law enforcement.

“We want people to know that this is what they do, they train to do this every day,” Swanson said. “These are quality people who can save people's lives when they are in peril.”

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20150802/NEWS/150809904/0/search

NEPONSIT — A group of lifeguards who usually watch the sands at Riis Park will head down to

Florida this week for a national championship, where they have a track record dominating the competition as one of the country's smallest, fastest teams.

Four lifeguards from the U.S National Parks Service at Riis Park — Patrick Kilgallen, Thomas

O'Neill, Brian O'Neill and Christian Foti — will compete in the United States Lifesaving

Association championships in Daytona Beach, which begins Aug. 6 and runs through the weekend. The tournament tests running, swimming and other lifesaving skills and draws guards from around the country, including Hawaii, Florida and California. It's been around since the 1960s, an official said.

The Riis Park guards are the only New York City team to compete, and are considered by some to be the "smallest, fastest team in America" for sending only four swimmers, according to

Kilgallen, a five-year guard.

"We only come with four, but we seem to do pretty well," he said.

That's an understatement.

At last year's competition, all four were in the top 25, and Thomas O'Neill had the second- highest number of individual points, behind a guard from Los Angeles County.

O'Neill, 25, grew up on Long Island but he's protected the Queens beach for eight years. It's a family tradition — his father, Tom, has been the assistant chief at Riis Park for 42 years and his brother Brian will also compete this week in Florida.

O'Neill, who swam at The Ohio State University

and is now a math teacher at Benjamin Cardozo

High School in Bayside, said he hopes to beat

his record last year and says representing such

a small beach brings him pride.

"We want to continue to go down and make a

name for ourselves."

After the national championships, he and

Kilgallen will compete in Australia for the International Surf Rescue Challenge in Australia on the

U.S team. Kilgallen, 21, grew up in Belle Harbor and is studying to be an engineer at Binghamton

University.

He decided to become a guard Riis Park, which is separate from the Parks Department guards nearby, because they foster a more competitive environment, he said.

The core four have established themselves nationally within the last few years, surprising many teams that guard year-round at beaches more famous than the "People's Beach" in Queens.

"Certainly with Riis Park they get a lot of bang for their buck," said Tom Gill, a media representative from the USLA who also announces each competitor during the events.

"They all perform very well."

Battling teams like Monmouth County in New Jersey, which includes multiple beaches and dozens of guards, and Los Angeles County, which also sends down more than a handful of competitors, helps keep the team focused, Kilgallen said.

"We take it as motivation," he said.

They were relatively unknown a few years ago, but big wins have helped changed that.

"Everyone knows now that Riis Park is here to play," Kilgallen said.

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150803/neponsit/queens-lifeguard-team-heads-national- competition-florida

http://longisland.news12.com/multimedia/2-long-island-lifeguards-to-compete-in-international-waters- 1.10708517

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20150804/news/150809819

http://swimswam.com/national-lifeguard-championships-takeover-daytona-beach-august-5th/

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/daytona-beach-fl/TICBVFLQNN225EANT

About 1,000 aspiring and professional lifeguards from around the country are taking over Daytona Beach. For the first time since 2004, the United States Lifesaving Association's national lifeguard competitions is being held in Volusia County.

The four day competition began Wednesday with the junior lifeguard competition. Junior lifeguards range in age from 9 to 15. Many of them, including those competing from Volusia County, attend camps lead by professional lifeguards, where they learn ocean rescue skills and then put them to the test at regional and state competitions that lead up to this annual, national one.

"A lot of people don't realize what lifeguards, how hard it is, to run and swim and go in the ocean and really be able to protect people and have people's lives in your hand," said Tatum Skove, a Junior Lifeguard competing from Hollywood Beach, Florida.

The professionals range in age from 16-80. They're individuals who work as lifeguards on beaches around the country. They'll begin competing on Thursday in water and beach course events that challenge their lifesaving skills. The events vary from surf swims to beach runs, paddle boards to surf boats.

"Here to compete and have fun and enjoy the camaraderie of life saving which is a big part of these competitions as well. It's the sharing of knowledge that people take back home and hopefully it helps them in their daily jobs as well," said Tom Gill, Spokesman for the U.S. Lifesaving Association.

Volusia County has entered 22 junior lifeguards and 48 professionals, including two over the age of 60, in competitions.

The event is free to attend. It's happening near the Daytona Beach pier, behind the Hilton hotel, through Saturday.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/lifeguard-competitions-held-in-volusia-county/34554146

http://daytonabeachbreakingnews.com/calendar/#/event/4793495-2015-nautica-usla-national- lifeguard-championships?location=32114-daytona-beach§ions=all&date=today

http://www.gainesville.com/section/events/#/event/4793495-2015-nautica-usla-national-lifeguard- championships?location=32608-gainesville§ions=all&date=today

The Nautica United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Lifeguard Championships will be held in Daytona Beach, Fla., with more than 2,500 lifeguards and junior lifeguards from across the country competing for individual and team honors, Aug. 5- 8. This is the third consecutive year that the Nautica brand will sponsor the event. Admission is free for the annual competition, which will take place in front of the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort/Ocean Walk Village (100 N. Atlantic Ave.). The USLA and the Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association in conjunction with the Volusia County’s Beach Safety Division are coordinating the competition. Professional Lifeguards ranging in age from 16 to 80 and Junior Lifeguards from ages nine to 15 will compete in water and beach course events that challenge their lifesaving skills in myriad events from surf swims to beach runs; paddleboards to surf boats. A few of the highlights include the Landline Rescue Relay, Ironman and Ironwoman events, Beach Flags and the 4×100 relay, a shuttle-run-style competition that is called “the fastest event on sand.” Competitors at Nationals will be chasing the 2014 title defenders from Monmouth County. The team captured the overall team title for first time last August in Virginia Beach, Va. The Monmouth County group defeated the LA County Surf Life Saving Association, who had captured the team title for the 27 previous years. The men and women will compete over three days from Thursday, Aug. 6 to Saturday, Aug. 8. All competitions begin at 8 a.m. and run until the end of the day. The Junior Guards are participants in programs conducted by local lifeguard agencies affiliated with the USLA and represent the future lifeguards for cities and counties. The Junior Lifeguard competition as well as the newly formed Under-19 competition will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 5. The Junior Lifeguard competition will involve three divisions – A Division for 14 and 15 year- olds, B Division for 12 and 13 year-olds and the C Division for 9 through 11 years of age. The Under-19 competition will be comprised of both junior and professional lifeguards ages 16 through 18. The results of the group’s competition will be a factor in the choosing of the USLA Under-19 team that will be selected to compete in the International Surf Rescue Challenge taking place in Australia this September. The 2015 Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships will be livestreamed on www.usla.org.

http://jacksonvillemag.com/event/2015-nautica-usla-national-lifeguard-championships/2015-08-05/

United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Junior Lifesaving Championships kicked off today in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Junior lifeguards from across the country arrived to compete this morning in Daytona Beach for the annual championships. All indications signal a strong turnout. Competitor check-in started at 8:00 am at the Ocean Center with events taking place throughout the day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST.

For photos, videos, and event updates, continue to follow www.lifeguardtimes.com for the latest information. For video footage from last years events Click Here. http://www.lifeguardtimes.com/national-junior-lifesaving-championships/

http://www.news-journalonline.com/section/events/#/event/4793495-2015-nautica-usla-national- lifeguard-championships?location=32117-daytona-beach§ions=all&date=today

Volusia Beach Safety will unleash its secret weapon during this week's United States Lifesaving Association's National Lifeguard Championships. The Junior competition starts Wednesday, but the real meat-and-potatoes competition involving the country's elite lifeguard corps will be staged Friday and Saturday in the waters behind Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort.

And that is when Volusia County Beach Safety will release its version of a surf Kraken, Hallie Petersohn, who has been chosen to represent the U.S.A. in world competition in September.

The 22-year-old lifeguard is literally a child of Daytona Beach's water. She learned to swim at 6 and continues to grow stronger and faster each year.

Her parents, Scott and Gwen, met as young lifeguards here, married and had two children. Scott retired in February as deputy chief of Volusia County Beach Safety.

Hallie, who was recently graduated from LSU, where she swam for the Tigers in Southeastern Conference competition, was raised on the beach.

“Growing up here, it was awesome,” she said. “I think I was at the beach every day. As I got older, they sent me to lifeguard camp and entered me in competitions.”

When Hallie turned 16, she tried out for and became a Volusia lifeguard. She's been a seasonal guard since her junior year of high school.

“There was no question of me trying out as a lifeguard,” Hallie said with a laugh. “There wasn't any 'if,' it was like 'You're trying out.'

“They told me, 'You need to get a job. You are 16 so you need to try out as a guard on the beach.' My brother (Tyler) was a guard. It's always been a family thing.”

Petersohn was one of four Volusia lifeguards to go to Nationals in 2014. This year, with home-beach advantage, there are nearly 30 Volusia lifeguards in the competition.

Volusia's firepower includes 19-year-old Darius Debarros who will team with Andrew Lydecker, 20, in several team events.

“This is my first Nationals and I'm excited,” Debarros said. “I think we'll try our best and hopefully get some wins.” Lydecker said the Southeast regionals, held at Flagler Beach in July, offered good preparation for this competition.

“It's pretty cool," he said. "We got to see where we stood in the regionals and our performance boosted our confidence.”

A.J. Miller is one of Volusia's graybeard competitors at the ripe old age of 31. He thinks the local guards can make a statement in national competition because of their familiarity with the surf conditions here.

“The advantage we will have is if the ocean is choppy and rough,” Miller said. “You get those cross- trough currents and bigger surf and we can use that to our advantage.

“If you know how to time the waves, somebody may be 20 yards ahead of you and you can make it up by catching the right set wave. It will be exciting and nerve wracking.”

Petersohn agreed Volusia will have home-water advantage.

“I know this stretch of ocean better than any other in the world,” she said.

Petersohn will be paired with local legendary athlete, Mallory Dunn Kennedy, for several events including the Paddle Pick Up. Kennedy is a seven-time female winner of the Easter Beach Run, who nearly won the overall honors in April.

“We should be good,” Petersohn said. “Mallory is great to work with.”

While the USLA National Lifeguard Championships is the last stop for the majority of athletes in this country, Petersohn will move on to world competition Sept. 7-10 in Australia.

“It's not everyone in the world, but a lot of good teams such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Japan,” she said. “The World Championships are next summer in the Netherlands and that's the one I'm shooting for.”

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20150804/SPORTS/150809814

DAYTONA BEACH — Emilee Sanders popped up from the sand, raced her opponents and dove for a flag a dozen times before she claimed the gold medal for her age group on a course near the Boardwalk on Wednesday.

The 12-year-old Daytona Beach Shores resident sweated it out with hundreds of junior competitors from around the country during Wednesday's beach flag race, one of several events taking place this week at the USLA National Lifeguard Championships behind the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort.

“I'm exhausted,” Sanders said about her third event of the day. “But I'm excited.”

The national championships have returned to Daytona Beach after an 11-year hiatus and will continue through Saturday with juniors and professional men and women lifeguards competing in events that test their strength, endurance and agility. On Wednesday, dozens of teams gathered under canopies on the beach next to marked courses and in the water sectioned off with flags.

In addition to the 2,500 competitors, more than 6,000 spectators are expected to watch the free competition in viewing stands on the Boardwalk behind the resort, according to organizers. Starting today, spectators will also be able to view the competition from five 52-inch HD TV screens behind the Hilton.

Volusia County's Lifeguard Corps Beach Director Mark Swanson said that by hosting a premier sporting event, Daytona Beach is creating a culture for athletic tourism that could serve as an economic engine for the area. Daytona Beach will also host the 2017 national competition.

“Everyone who comes here will look for ways to come back to Daytona,” he said. “This is the perfect place to do this event.”

John Tarbet traveled with his son and daughter to the national competition from New York. He stood on the sidelines cheering his 10-year-old son during the beach flag race.

"It's fun because you see people from all over the country and make friends," he said. "It's like a summer camp."

Wednesday's events also included a beach run, an "Iron Guard" competition, a surf race and rescue race. Volusia County will be represented by nearly 30 lifeguards in the professional division and 19 juniors over the course the event. Flagler County will be represented by eight professional lifeguards.

Flagler County Parks and Recreation Director Tom Gillian said that he hopes to see local competitors thrive with a “home (beach) advantage.”

“It's rare that you get to bring your entire team to an event like this,” Gillian said. “We are looking forward to competing with the some of the best lifeguards in the country.”

RESULTS United States Lifesaving Association's National Lifeguard Championships Winners of each event and division In Daytona Beach BEACH RUN: An individual event in which Junior Guards run down, around a flag and back to a finish funnel on the hard sand. Boys A Group (14-15, 2km distance run): Grant Gilbert – Monmouth County, N.J. Girls A Group (14-15, 2km distance run): Bridget Alex – Hollywood Beach Boys B Group (12-13, 2km distance run): Johnny Nutt – Monmouth County, N.J. Girls B Group (12-13, 2km distance run): Sophia Swanson – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Boys C Group (9-11, 2km distance run): Jake Schulte –Pompano Beach Girls C Group (9-11, 2km distance run): Sydney Yodh – Monmouth County, N.J. Boys Under-19 (16-18, 2km distance run): Harrison Martingayle – Virginia Beach Lifesaving Association, Va. Girls Under-19 (16-18, 2km distance run): Sierra Koehler – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y. SURF SWIM RACE: An individual event in which Junior Guards swim out and around the two designated buoys and finish through the funnel on the beach. Boys A Group (14-15): Chasen Dubs – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Girls A Group (14-15): Holly Maine – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif. Boys B Group (12-13): Brendan Williams – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y. Girls B Group (12-13): Isabella Taylor – Pompano Beach Boys C Group (9-11): Angelo Martinez – Hollywood Beach Girls C Group (9-11): Mallory Schleicher – Hollywood Beach Boys Under-19 (16-18): Hayden Hemmens – Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard Association, Calif. Girls Under-19 (16-18): Bella Siering – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif. RUN-SWIM-RUN: An individual event in which Junior Guards run a set distance on the beach, then swim out and around two buoys and back, then finish with a second beach run. Boys A Group (14-15): Chasen Dubs – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Girls A Group (14-15): Holly Maine – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif. Boys B Group (12- 13): Brendan Williams – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y. Girls B Group (12-13): Summer Schulte – Pompano Beach Boys C Group (9-11): Angelo Martinez – Hollywood Beach Girls C Group (9-11): Mallory Schleicher – Hollywood Beach Boys Under-19 (16-18): Hayden Hemmens – Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard Association, Calif. Girls Under-19 (16-18): Bella Siering – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif. RESCUE BOARD RACE: An individual event in which Junior Guards paddle a board out and around designated buoys, negotiate incoming surf and finish with their board through a funnel on the beach. Boys A Group (14-15): Chasen Dubs – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Girls A Group (14-15): Holly Maine – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif. Boys B Group (12-13): Aidan Forst – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Girls B Group (12- 13): Summer Schulte – Pompano Beach Boys C Group (9-11): Jake Schulte – Pompano Beach Boys Under-19 (16-18): Ben Coffey – Santa Cruz Lifesaving Association, Calif. Girls Under-19 (16- 18): Ananda Calabrese – Hampton Lifeguard Association, Calif. IRONGUARD: An individual event in which Junior Guards swim the designated course, run to the transition area, then paddle the designated course and finish with a final run leg. Boys A Group (14-15): Chasen Dubs – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Girls A Group (14-15): Holly Maine – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif. Boys B Group (12-13): Aidan Forst – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Girls B Group (12- 13): Isabella Taylor – Pompano Beach Boys C Group (9-11): Jake Schulte – Pompano Beach Girls C Group (9-11): Mallory Schleicher – Hollywood Beach Boys Under-19 (16-18): Ben Brewer – Santa Barbara Lifeguard Association, Calif. Girls Under-19 (16-18): Bella Siering – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif. BEACH FLAGS: From a prone starting position on the beach, competitors rise, turn and race to obtain a baton (beach flag) buried upright in the sand approximately 20 meters away. Since there are always fewer batons than competitors, those who fail to obtain a baton are eliminated. Boys A Group (14-15): Val Ferraro – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Girls A Group (14-15): Emma Kopp – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y. Boys B Group (12-13): Spencer Flynn – Monmouth County, N.J. Girls B Group (12-13): Lila Ferraro – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Boys C Group (9-11): Thomas Calice – Pompano Beach Girls C Group (9-11): Emilee Sanders – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association Boys Under-19 (16-18): Zachary Clarke – Deerfield Beach Girls Under-19 (16-18): Amanda Calabrese – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. SWIM RELAY: A team event made up of five swimmers in which each team member swims out and around the designated buoys and returns to the beach to tag the next swimmer. Combined A Group: Mia Marquez, Chase Perry, Shane Schulte, Alejandro Quinones, Ronald Hache – Pompano Beach Combined B Group: Ryan Shannon, Grady Olsen, Brendan Williams, Chester J. Pergan III, Emma Claps – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y. Combined C Group: Richie Chiarella, Cole Pergan, Owen Glaser, Peter Prinzivall, Jack Nixon – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y. Combined Under-19: Nicos Prokopiou, Nicholas Galeto, Noah Chernik, Sierra Koehler, Loudon Meringolo – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y. SURF SKI: Competitors steady their skis in line in knee-deep water about 1.5 meters apart. Competitors paddle their skis around the apex course marked by three buoys in a clockwise direction and return to finish when any part of the ski crosses the in-water finish line-ridden, gripped or carried by the competitor. Competitors may lose contact with their ski without necessarily being disqualified. Boys Under-19: Hunter Pflueger – Honolulu, Hawaii Girls Under-19: Madeline McCullagh – Destin

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20150805/NEWS/150809771

OCEAN CITY – Lexi Santer, an Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguard and Duquesne University swimmer, has spent her summer navigating the surf to compete against lifeguards throughout Atlantic and Cape May counties.

Come September, Santer will put her lifeguarding skills to test on the world stage, when she travels to the International Surf Rescue Challenge in Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, Australia.

The International Surf Rescue Challenge will be held Sept. 3 to 6.

Santer will go as part of the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Team, and was among eight women in the country to be selected for the prestigious team.

In total, eight men and eight women from across the nation were chosen for the team and six men and six women will compete in Australia.

According to Santer, her fellow USLA National Team competitors hail from New Jersey, Florida, California and more. Santer was first spotted by USLA coaches in July at the USLA Mid-Atlantic Regional Lifesaving Championships in Rehoboth Beach, Del.

At the Mid-Atlantic Regional Lifesaving Championships, Santer won the swim, placed second in the run-swim-run and placed third in the paddle.

On Friday, July 31, Santer found out she would be able to go to Australia with the USLA National Team.

As a collegiate swimmer, Santer had to clear the USLA competition with the NCAA.

“I was really excited. I was all smiles,” Santer said about learning she was on the team. For Santer, now the work begins.

To prepare, she said she will continue to practice open water swimming and paddling, as well as running on the soft sand.

She also planned to practice using a surf ski.

“I’m really excited to see all of the athletes over there because Australians are born and bred to be ocean competitors,” Santer said. “There are going to be all sorts of people from all sorts of different cultures and racing backgrounds so it’s going to be a really great learning experience and also a great opportunity to be part of a high-performance team.”

http://www.ocsentinel.com/community/ocbp-guard-chosen-for-national-team/article_5cdc39d4-3b78- 11e5-9f4d-4fdf87fe1207.html

http://breakingorlandonews.com/calendar/#/event/4793495-2015-nautica-usla-national-lifeguard- championships?location=32801-orlando§ions=all&date=today

http://events.orlandosentinel.com/events/orl-2015-nautica-usla-national-lifeguard-championships- event

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 5, 2015) — The Nautica United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Lifeguard Championships kicked off in Daytona Beach, Fla., Wednesday with the National Junior Lifeguard Championships featuring more than 300 young participants from USLA-affiliated lifeguard programs across the country.

These future lifeguarding hopefuls, ages nine-15, competed in eight events in three age categories for individual titles. The newly formed Under-19 competition, comprised of both junior and professional lifeguards ages 16-18, competed in nine events. Junior competitors from Hampton, Jones Beach, Hollywood Beach, Monmouth County, Honolulu, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, LA County, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Newport Beach, Virginia Beach and Volusia Surf Lifesaving Associations all won individual titles on Wednesday.

The Junior Guard competition consisted of three divisions—A Division for 14 and 15 year-olds, B Division for 12 and 13 year-olds, C Division for 9 through 11 years of age.

Winners of each event and division from Wednesday’s Nautica National Junior Lifeguard Championships follow:

BEACH RUN: An individual event in which Junior Guards run down, around a flag and back to a finish funnel on the hard sand.

Boys A Group (14-15, 2km distance run) Grant Gilbert – Monmouth County, N.J.

Girls A Group (14-15, 2km distance run) Bridget Alex –Hollywood Beach, Fla.

Boys B Group (12-13, 2km distance run) Johnny Nutt – Monmouth County, N.J.

Girls B Group (12-13, 2km distance run) Sophia Swanson – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y.

Boys C Group (9-11, 2km distance run) Jake Schulte –Pompano Beach, Fla.

Girls C Group (9-11, 2km distance run) Sydney Yodh – Monmouth County, N.J.

Boys Under-19 (16-18, 2km distance run) Harrison Martingayle – Virginia Beach Lifesaving Association, Va.

Girls Under-19 (16-18, 2km distance run) Sierra Koehler – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y.

SURF SWIM RACE: An individual event in which Junior Guards swim out and around the two designated buoys and finish through the funnel on the beach.

Boys A Group (14-15) Chasen Dubs – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y.

Girls A Group (14-15) Holly Maine – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.

Boys B Group (12-13) Brendan Williams – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y.

Girls B Group (12-13) Isabella Taylor – Pompano Beach, Fla.

Boys C Group (9-11) Angelo Martinez – Hollywood Beach, Fla.

Girls C Group (9-11) Mallory Schleicher – Hollywood Beach, Fla.

Boys Under-19 (16-18) Hayden Hemmens – Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard Association, Calif.

Girls Under-19 (16-18) Bella Siering – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.

RUN-SWIM-RUN: An individual event in which Junior Guards run a set distance on the beach, then swim out and around two buoys and back then finish with a second beach run.

Boys A Group (14-15) Chasen Dubs – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Girls A Group (14-15) Holly Maine – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.

Boys B Group (12-13) Brendan Williams – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y.

Girls B Group (12-13) Summer Schulte – Pompano Beach, Fla.

Boys C Group (9-11) Angelo Martinez – Hollywood Beach, Fla.

Girls C Group (9-11) Mallory Schleicher – Hollywood Beach, Fla.

Boys Under-19 (16-18) Hayden Hemmens – Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard Association, Calif.

Girls Under-19 (16-18) Bella Siering – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

RESCUE BOARD RACE: An individual event in which Junior Guards paddle a board out and around designated buoys, negotiate incoming surf and finish with their board through a funnel on the beach.

Boys A Group (14-15) Chasen Dubs – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y.

Girls A Group (14-15) Holly Maine – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Boys B Group (12-13) Aidan Forst – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y.

Girls B Group (12-13) Summer Schulte – Pompano Beach, Fla.

Boys C Group (9-11) Jake Schulte – Pompano Beach, Fla.

Boys Under-19 (16-18) Ben Coffey – Santa Cruz Lifesaving Association, Calif.

Girls Under-19 (16-18) Ananda Calabrese – Hampton Lifeguard Association, Calif.

IRONGUARD: An individual event in which Junior Guards swim the designated course, run to the transition area, then paddle the designated course and finish with a final run leg.

Boys A Group (14-15) Chasen Dubs – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y.

Girls A Group (14-15) Holly Maine – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.

Boys B Group (12-13) Aidan Forst – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y.

Girls B Group (12-13) Isabella Taylor – Pompano Beach, Fla.

Boys C Group (9-11) Jake Schulte – Pompano Beach, Fla.

Girls C Group (9-11) Mallory Schleicher – Hollywood Beach, Fla.

Boys Under-19 (16-18) Ben Brewer – Santa Barbara Lifeguard Association, Calif.

Girls Under-19 (16-18) Bella Siering – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

BEACH FLAGS: From a prone starting position on the beach, competitors rise, turn and race to obtain a baton (beach flag) buried upright in the sand approximately 20 meters away. Since there are always fewer batons than competitors, those who fail to obtain a baton are eliminated.

Boys A Group (14-15) Val Ferraro – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y.

Girls A Group (14-15) Emma Kopp – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y.

Boys B Group (12-13) Spencer Flynn – Monmouth County, N.J.

Girls B Group (12-13) Lila Ferraro – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y.

Boys C Group (9-11) Thomas Calice – Pompano Beach, Fla.

Girls C Group (9-11) Emilee Sanders – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.

Boys Under-19 (16-18) Zachary Clarke – Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Girls Under-19 (16-18) Amanda Calabrese – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y.

SWIM RELAY: A team event made up of five swimmers in which each team member swims out and around the designated buoys and returns to the beach to tag the next swimmer.

Combined A Group Mia Marquez, Chase Perry, Shane Schulte, Alejandro Quinones, Ronald Hache – Pompano Beach, Fla.

Combined B Group Ryan Shannon, Grady Olsen, Brendan Williams, Chester J. Pergan III, Emma Claps – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y.

Combined C Group Richie Chiarella, Cole Pergan, Owen Glaser, Peter Prinzivall, Jack Nixon – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y.

Combined Under-19 Nicos Prokopiou, Nicholas Galeto, Noah Chernik, Sierra Koehler, Loudon Meringolo – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y.

SURF SKI: Competitors steady their skis in line in knee-deep water about 1.5 meters apart. Competitors paddle their skis around the apex course marked by three buoys in a clockwise direction and return to finish when any part of the ski crosses the in-water finish line-ridden, gripped or carried by the competitor. Competitors may lose contact with their ski without necessarily being disqualified.

Boys Under-19 Hunter Pflueger – Honolulu, Hawaii

Girls Under-19 Madeline McCullagh – Destin, Fla.

Hosted by the Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association in conjunction with the Volusia County's Beach Safety Division, the USLA National Lifeguard Championships continue Thursday at 8 a.m. ET on Daytona Beach in front of the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort/Ocean Walk Village (100 N. Atlantic Ave.).

From Thursday to Saturday, professional lifeguards from a number of USLA chapters across the country will compete for individual and team honors in water and beach course events that challenge their lifesaving skills including surf swims, beach runs, paddleboard races, landline rescue relays, a taplin relay, board rescue races, beach flags, and Ironman and Ironwoman races.

Admission to the Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships in Daytona Beach is free of charge.

For more information on the Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships and full results from today’s National Junior Lifeguard Championships, visit www.nationalresults.usla.org. The event is livestreamed on www.usla.org.

http://swimswam.com/2015-nautica-usla-national-lifeguard-championships-wednesday-results/

http://www.lifeguardtimes.com/u-s-adult-lifesaving-championships-began-today/

http://luminanews.com/2015/08/wbor-excels-during-first-day-of-nationals/

The High Tide — 08/06/2015

Best of luck to some local lifeguards, Patrick Kilgallen, Thomas O’Neill, Brian O’Neill and Christian Foti, who are competing in the US Lifesaving Association championships in Florida this weekend.

http://rockawaytimes.com/2015/08/06/the-high-tide-08062015/ By BRENT WORONOFF

[email protected]

Competition is natural for lifeguards.

“A rescue is kind of a race against time to begin with,” said Jeremy Watkins, the president of the St. Augustine chapter of the U.S. Lifesaving Association.

This week, the local chapter has sent 11 pro lifeguards and seven juniors to compete in the USLA National Lifeguard Championships in Daytona Beach.

The team finished third in the Southeast Regional competition last month in Flagler Beach. The Southeast Region includes all USLA chapters in Florida and Alabama.

“This was a unique opportunity for us this year with St. Johns County being so close to the regionals and the nationals,” Watkins said.

Most of the events translate directly to real-life ocean rescues, whether it’s a 2k run on the beach, distance swim or surfski and paddleboard races.

One event, beach flags, is particularly popular with spectators. It’s like a musical-chair competition in which nine flags are planted in the sand about 20 meters behind 10 competitors. At the whistle, competitors turn, sprint and dive for a flag. One competitor is eliminated after each round. St. Augustine’s Brian Meehan reached the men’s semifinals Thursday, while Teale Beckenbach advanced to the women’s finals. Beckenbach and Josh Ashley, both of whom are triathletes, are expected to contend for the Ironwoman and Ironman titles. Those competitions include run, swim, ski and paddle events. The finals are scheduled for Saturday.

The only co-ed event, landline rescue, is a throwback to the early days of ocean rescue. A “victim” swims 75 yards out, and a rescuer swims out to the victim with a reel of rope and two other team members reel them in.

Juniors competed Wednesday, and all seven locals earned ribbons or medals finishing in the top 10, Watkins said. The pro events continue through Saturday behind the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. There is no charge for spectators. A live stream of the competition is available on USLA.org.

http://staugustine.com/sports/outdoors/2015-08-06/st-johns-county-lifeguards-competing- national-championships#.VdNucvlVikp

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/8515-lifeguard-500-erica/34559966

http://www.news-journalonline.com/section/SPORTS

Whistles blew this week as lifeguards raced into the water along the Daytona Beach shoreline during the 2015 Nautica USLA National Lifeguard…

Whistles blew this week as lifeguards raced into the water along the Volusia County shoreline during the 2015 Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships held in Daytona Beach.

It's not about saving people from rip currents or dangerous marine life -- it's a test of skill.

Some 2,500 men and women between the ages of 16 and over 60 are competing in the national championships. They are world-class swimmers, but more importantly, they're showing off their world-class life-saving skills.

"We're having a great time, we're trying to place in the top five this weekend," said Volusia County lifeguard Lindsey Breneman.

At just 17 years old, Breneman was the rescuer in the rescue-swim competition. Up against teams from other ocean towns, it's fiercely competitive.

"It's amazing to be out here and see the great talent that we have on all of the beaches all across the United States," Breneman said.

The California girls claimed the East Coast water is a cinch compared to the west coast.

"We have more south swells, we have awesome water, we have gnarlier water. So I think we're the best, to be honest," said Julia Garcia, California lifeguard.

Many accomplished athletes showed up to compete. Rob Wallace, 65, retired after 31 years on the beach in Volusia County, came out for the paddle-boarding competition.

"No matter what the age, everybody stays in shape from 16 up to, there's a guy here who's 80, 81 years old," said Wallace.

It's likely that every single contender has…

http://myinforms.com/en/a/15301177-thousands-compete-in-national-lifeguard-competition/

Volusia Beach Safety Lifeguard Capt. A.J. Miller represented Volusia County at the USLA National Lifeguard Championships last week. He spoke to The News-Journal about his work and staying in shape.

How did you get started?

I was born in Indiana, but we moved down here when I was six in 1990. I pretty much grew up in Port Orange; went to Spruce Creek High School. I started (as a lifeguard) when I was 17 in 2001. It started just as a job, something to do, "I get paid to hang out at the beach." But it helped me grow up, just dealing with that responsibility.

I had a lot of rescues in my first couple of years. I don’t think people realize how much responsibility the kids out here are taking on.

Full-time employees like myself are state-certified law enforcement officers. We have county-wide jurisdiction. We’re emergency medical technicians. We’re ocean rescue. So we do all three.

I love helping people and it keeps me thin and young.

How do you keep fit for the beach?

Three days a week, I’m up at 4:50 a.m. I swim at the Y with the masters swimming program. I usually swim between 3,000 and 4,000 yards. My wife is very nice and forgiving. We have two small children. She is very nice to give me time I need to train.

I swim before my family wakes up. If time permits while I’m working, we’re allotted an hour of training because we have to be physically fit.

I will do ocean swims and train in the afternoon, too.

We try to get people at peak physical condition.

How did you compete in the USLA National Lifeguard Championships?

(I did) the paddle pick up. After a swimmer races out to the flag line and dunks the flag, I will race out in my paddleboard, pick him up and we’ll paddle in together. It’s a race on the way back. It’s really fun.

I like the longer events. I started competing in 2002.

It’s been a pleasure meeting people from all around the country, the world. It’s nice making those connections, visiting other beaches and seeing how they do things. So we can bring new ideas back here and put our spin on them.

You met professional quarterback Doug Flutie at the regional lifeguard competition in Flagler Beach, right?

It’s funny. He started with (the Brevard County lifeguards) last year. We all met him. He played football with a couple of guys from our team.

He actually came up to me and shook my hand towards the end of events (this year). He said, "Man, you’re an animal." It was really cool. He’s a very nice guy. He signed a bunch of cards. He’s still an amazing athlete.

Flutie is 52. Can you be a 52-year-old lifeguard in Volusia County?

A year ago, our oldest lifeguard was in his 60s.

If you can make our physical requirements in our recruit classes, there’s no reason you can’t work. We have a 500-meter swim that has to be done under 10 minutes and then we have a 50-yard swim that has to be done under 30 seconds, and then a half mile sprint has to be done under 3 minutes and 15 seconds. So it’s moving. But the 50-yard swim and the half mile sprint, they’re one-time (only) things. Full-timers must do the 500-meter swim every six months, just to make sure we’re maintaining our physical conditioning.

Some of our best athletes are in their upper 50s. Age is irrelevant as long as you've got the physical condition.

It’s nice to run with the 16-, 17-, 18-year-olds, too.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20150807/NEWS/150809624

DAYTONA BEACH — Even on an off day, Volusia County Beach Safety lifeguard Hallie Petersohn's stress level managed to run high on the shores of Daytona Beach.

She was not perched in her normal tower monitoring hundreds of beachgoers. Instead, she expended all of her energy in one of the profession's most physically demanding events. Petersohn, 22, competed in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships on Friday afternoon. In its 51st year, the event brings together 55 professional teams and roughly 1,000 athletes from across the country to face off in swimming, running and rescue-based challenges, event spokeswoman Tamarah Strauss said.

Competition wraps up Saturday, with the action starting at 8 a.m. on the sands directly behind the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort on Atlantic Avenue.

It's the third time Volusia County has hosted the national championships, but the first time since 2004, giving Petersohn — a three-time participant — a chance to swim in familiar waters.

"It's really nice to have it in my backyard because I can come up here and train any day that I want," Petersohn said. "It's really nice to know where the rip currents are in this area and how the sandbar goes, and also to be able to sleep in my own bed every night and not having to travel out to find food elsewhere."

Petersohn, a 2011 graduate of Spruce Creek and former swimmer at LSU, competes in the Open division, comprised of the nation's elite athletes. There are separate fields for age-group competitors and juniors. Junior points are not reflected in the overall team standings.

She took part in the final two events of the afternoon session — as a member of a four-person team for the Open Rescue Race and on her own in the Open American Ironwoman.

Petersohn felt like she hung in with some of the nation's top lifeguards. She placed 15th in the grueling American Ironwoman race, which spans an approximately 950-meter course and includes swimming, paddleboarding and sprinting.

"The days are longer (in competition). You can't just put your umbrella up and get out of the sun," Petersohn said. "You have to compete in so many events, and you just get so tired by the end of the day."

Temperatures hovered in the low 90s for much of the day, but the sun seemingly disappeared after a mid-afternoon storm. As clouds rolled in, the water became colder and swimming proved tougher.

"When you jump into that water and you're not prepared for it, your muscles will tense up," said Ivy Rizzi, 19, a former Five Star Conference swimming champion at Seabreeze. "With a long swim and a person on your back, it's not exactly fun." As of Wednesday, Volusia Surf Livesafing Association fielded a team of 48 professionals and 22 juniors, Strauss said. Notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group), Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35- to-39) Alan Holt (2nd place, Ironman and Surf Race, 40-to-44) and Corey McMeeking (2nd place, Surf Race, 30-to-34).

Dozens of observers converged over the course of the day.

Some were intrigued, casual observers, such as 52-year-old Daytona Beach resident John Taylor. He walks a nearly 3-mile stretch of the beach as many as five days per week.

Taylor said he played a variety of sports in high school, including tennis and basketball, but respected the athleticism of all the competitors.

"The people are in good shape," Taylor said. "I wouldn't hold a candle to them (in my youth). I never excelled in swimming. I couldn't do any of this, really."

Dudley Crosson, on the other hand, follows lifeguard competitions after years of working in the profession. A resident of Port St. Lucie, Crosson and his wife decided to spend their 35th wedding anniversary on vacation and take in some of the action.

"With these guys, I'd still be on the beach by the time they got out to the flags," said Crosson, 61. "(The event) is well-organized, and these guys are good in the water. I've thoroughly enjoyed it."

Volusia entered Friday night's final event, the Beach Flags, in fourth place in the team competition with 125.5 points. The champion will almost certainly come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20150807/NEWS/150809595/101040?Title=Top- athletes-take-center-stage-at-national-lifeguard-championships-in-Daytona-Beach

http://www.styrk.com/posts/national-lifeguard-championship-iron-man-competition

Age-Group Champions Crowned in Board Race, Ironman/Ironwoman and Surf Race; Open Champions Crowned in Beach Flags, Board Race, American Ironperson, Rescue Race, Surf Boat and Surf Race

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 7, 2015) — The Nautica United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Lifeguard Championships continued in Daytona Beach Friday, Aug. 7. The USLA crowned more age-group champions in the Board Race, Ironman/Ironwoman and Surf Race events. Open champions in Beach Flags, Board Race, American Ironman/Ironwoman, Rescue Race, Surf Boat and Surf Race were also crowned Friday.

Professional lifeguards from 55 USLA chapters around the country are competing for individual and team honors in water and beach course events that challenge their lifesaving skills. After day two of competition, LA County Surf Life Saving Association leads all competitors with 555.00 team points. Monmouth County (N.J.) currently ranks second with 524.375 points and Volusia Surf Lifesaving (Fla.) Association follows in third with 156.50. Destin (Fla.) leads the B Division (chapters with 100 lifeguards or less) with 221.50 points.

Open (1st through 3rd) and age-group champions for each of Friday’s Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships events follow:

BEACH FLAGS: From a prone starting position on the beach, competitors rise, turn and race to obtain a baton (beach flag) buried upright in the sand approximately 20 meters away. Since there are always fewer batons than competitors, those who fail to obtain a baton are eliminated.

Men’s Open 1. Darius DeBarros – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla. 2. Charlie Appel – Smith Point, N.Y. 3. Blayne Jackolski – Smith Point, N.Y.

Women’s Open 1. Amanda Calabrese – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. 2. Sandi Woodhead – Smith Point, N.Y. 3. Brianne Jackolski – Smith Point, N.Y.

BOARD RACE: Competitors stand on or behind the start line on the beach with their boards 1.5 meters apart. At the start signal, competitors enter the water, launch their boards and paddle the course marked by buoys, return to the beach and run to cross the finish line. Competitors are not permitted to hold or otherwise interfere with other competitors’ boards or deliberately impede their progress.

Men’s Open 1. Brian Murphy – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif. 2. Nick Malcolm – Surfers Paradise SLSC, Australia 3. Jacob Marks – Destin, Fla.

Women’s Open 1. Carter Graves – Coronado Beach Lifeguards, Calif. 2. Madeline McCullagh – Destin, Fla. 3. Jessica Collins – Destin, Fla.

Men’s 30-34 1. Patrick Jacobson – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Women’s 30-34 1. Mallory Kennedy – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.

Men’s 35-39 1. Steven O’Boyle – Monmouth County, N.J.

Women’s 35-39 1. Aline Paterson – Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Men’s 40-44 1. Javier Mayor – Miami Beach, Fla.

Women’s 40-44 1. Jennifer Noonan – Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue, Fla.

Men’s 45-49 1. Cris Dobrosielski – San Diego Surf Lifesaving Association, Calif.

Women’s 45-49 1. Michelle Davidson – Monmouth County, N.J.

Men’s 50-54 1. Patrick Hemmens – California State Lifeguard Association, Calif.

Women’s 50-54 1. Deirdre Fisher – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Men’s 55-59 1. Mitch Kahn – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Women’s 55-59 1. Shari Latta – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Men’s 60-64 1. Murray Baker – Vero Beach, Fla.

Women’s 60-64 1. Leigh Emerson-Smith – Miami Beach, Fla.

Men’s 65-69 1. William Dorney – South Jersey, N.J.

Men’s 70+ 1. John Sink – Monmouth County, N.J.

IRONMAN/IRONWOMAN: Competitors cover a 1,400 meter (approx.) course that includes a swim leg, a board leg, a ski leg and a beach sprint finish.

Men’s 30-34 1. Patrick Jacobson – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Women’s 30-34 1. Tandis Morgan – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Men’s 35-39 1. Jeff Lombardo – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Women’s 35-39 1. Emily Hagen – California State Lifeguard Association, Calif.

Men’s 40-44 1. Javier Mayor – Miami Beach, Fla.

Women’s 40-44 1. Cindy Fajardo – Sussex County, Del.

Men’s 45-49 1. Rob Pelkey – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Women’s 45-49 1. Michelle Davidson – Monmouth County, N.J.

Men’s 50-54 1. Charlie Lydecker – Smith Point, N.Y.

Women’s 50-54 1. Ann Finley – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Men’s 55-59 1. Mitch Kahn – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Women’s 55-59 1. Shari Latta – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Men’s 60-64 1. Dale Adama – California State Lifeguard Association, Calif.

Women’s 60-64 1. Susan Wallis – Jax Beach, Fla.

Men’s 65-69 1. William Dorney – South Jersey, N.J.

RESCUE RACE: Four competitors from each team participate in the event: a “victim,” one rescue tube swimmer and two rescuers. The victim swims approximately 120 meters to a designated buoy, signals and waits to be rescued by the rescue tube swimmer. As they return to shore, the remaining two rescuers enter the water to assist. The event finishes when the first competitor in a team crosses the finish line while in contact with the victim.

Open Men

1. PJ Gillespie, James Canner, Time Casabino & Phil Casabino – Long Beach, N.Y. 2. Oliver Puddick, Richard Russell, Luke Turner & Matthew Wise – Destin, Fla. 3. Nicholas Sullivan, Michael Murphy, Jeff Lombardo & Kevin Fink – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Open Women

1. Ann Fici, Nicole LoMeli, Jacqueline Dominger & Brianne Jackolski – Smith Point, N.Y. 2. Isabelle Pabon, Kristen DiTommaso, Annie Fittin & Cassidy Stimpson – Monmouth County, N.J. 3. Lauren Badenhoop, Lindsey Gerkens Lynskey, Thalia Harrison & Catherine Gargula – Wrightsville Beach, N.C.

SURF BOAT RACE: Two person surf boat teams row around the three outside buoy courses returning to shore where one member disembarks from the boat and runs up to touch the line. Once across the touchline, the member can return to their surf boat for a second lap, repeating the touch line run. At the finish of the third lap, one member must leave the boat and run up and across the finish line. Three lap races are approximately 2,000 meters with each lap approximately 665 meters.

Open Men

1. Boki Corsovic & Jose Bolivar – Hollywood Beach, Calif. 2. Matt Nunnally & Stephen Grober – Monmouth County, N.J. 3. Dan George & William George – Monmouth County, N.J.

Open Women

1. Shelley Griffith & Sherry Griffith – Boca Raton, Fla. 2. Jennifer Rau & Alexandra O’Connor – Monmouth County, N.J. & Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue, Fla. 3. Jennifer Noonan & Tiffany LaCasse-Johnson – Ft. Lauderdale Ocean Rescue, Fla.& Palm Beach County, Fla.

SURF RACE: With a running start into the surf from the start line on the beach, competitors swim around the 400 meter course designated by buoys, around the left end buoy of the flag line to the two black and white buoys returning to shore passing the right end of the flag buoy line to finish between the finish flags on the beach.

Men’s Open 1. Kevin Fink – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif. 2. Pat Kilgallen – Riis Park, N.Y. 3. Thomas O’Neill – Riis Park, N.Y.

Women’s Open 1. Hannah Elliott – Monmouth County, N.J. 2. Jessica Collins – Destin, Fla. 3. Carter Graves – Coronado Beach Lifeguards, Calif.

Men’s 30-34 1. Patrick Jacobson – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Women’s 30-34 1. Mallory Kennedy – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.

Men’s 35-39 1. Jeff Lombardo – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Women’s 35-39 1. Carrie Purdy – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Calif.

Men’s 40-44 1. Mike Barrows – Monmouth County, N.J.

Women’s 40-44 1. Cindy Fajardo – Sussex County, Del.

Men’s 45-49 1. Randy Eickhoff – California State Lifeguard Association, Calif.

Women’s 45-49 1. Chris Linkletter – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Men’s 50-54 1. Charlie Lydecker – Smith Point, N.Y.

Women’s 50-54 1. Deirdre Fisher – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Men’s 55-59 1. Mitch Kahn – LA County Surf Lifesaving Association, Calif.

Women’s 55-59 1. Janet Carbin – Monmouth County, N.J.

Men’s 60-64 1. Dale Adama – California State Lifeguard Association, Calif.

Women’s 60-64 1. Leigh Emerson-Smith – Miami Beach, Fla.

Men’s 65-69 1. William Dorney – South Jersey, N.J.

Men’s 70+ 1. John Sink – Monmouth County, N.J.

AMERICAN IRONMAN: Competitors cover a 1400 meter (approx.) course that includes a swim leg, a board leg, a solo surf boat leg, and a beach sprint finish. The sequence of legs shall be determined by draw at the commencement of each competition, at least one hour prior to the race. SWIM clockwise around the two center swim flag buoys (red to green/yellow). BOARD paddle clockwise around all the swim flag buoys and the black/white buoys. ROW a surf boat clockwise around the three buoy apex course. Competitors must pass to the outside of all buoys.

Open Men 1. James Bray – California State Lifeguard Association, Calif. 2. Nate Humberson – Monmouth County, N.J. 3. Jeff Hart – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Men’s 30-34 1. Alexander Miller – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.

Men’s 35-39 1. Jeff Lombardo – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Men’s 40-44 1. Michael Huck – Dania Beach, Fla.

Men’s 45-49 1. Rob Pelkey – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Men’s 50-54 1. Mel Solberg – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Men’s 55-59 1. Mitch Kahn – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Men’s 60-64 1. Mark Myhre – Town of Palm Beach, Fla.

Men’s 65-69 1. Bert Soden – Miami Beach, Fla.

AMERICAN IRONWOMAN: Competitors cover a 950 meter (approx.) course that includes a swim leg, a board leg, and a beach sprint finish. SWIM clockwise around the two center swim flag buoys (red to green/yellow). Competitors will BOARD paddle clockwise around the swim flag buoys and the black/white buoys. The start will be at the left end of the coarse facing down the beach. The competitors will RUN down the beach 100 meters to a flag in the middle of the course. After rounding the center flag, the competitors enter the water for the swim.

Open Women

1. Carter Graves – Coronado Beach Lifeguards, Calif. 2. Kelsey Cummings – Long Beach Lifeguard Association, Calif. 3. Eva Porter – Monmouth County, N.J.

Hosted by the Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association in conjunction with the Volusia County's Beach Safety Division, the USLA National Lifeguard Championships continue Saturday at 8 a.m. ET on Daytona Beach in front of the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort/Ocean Walk Village (100 N. Atlantic Ave.).

At the close of competition, the 2015 champions will crowned. Open finals scheduled for Saturday, include: Run Relay, 2K Beach Run, Landline, Ironwoman/Ironman, Run Swim Run, Surf Ski and Taplin Relay.

Admission to the Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships in Daytona Beach is free of charge.

For more information on the Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships and full results from today’s National Lifeguard Championships, visit www.nationalresults.usla.org. The event is livestreamed on www.usla.org. http://swimswam.com/2015-nautica-usla-national-lifeguard-championships-friday-results/

The 2015 Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships will take place in Daytona Beach, August from Aug. 5 to 8. The four-day event, which is expected to draw nearly 2,000 competitors along with their families, will be held on the beach behind the Ocean Walk in Daytona Beach. Individual events will include a running relay, surf swim, rescue race, landline rescue, and iron man/iron woman competitions. The competition is being coordinated by the U.S. Lifesaving Association and the Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association in conjunction with the Volusia County's Beach Safety Division.

http://thingsaroundtown.com/news/orlando/2015/08/07/08072015-2015-nautica- usla-national-lifeguard-championships-daytona-beach-fl/

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. —Whistles blew this week as lifeguards raced into the water along the Volusia County shoreline during the 2015 Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships held in Daytona Beach.

It's not about saving people from rip currents or dangerous marine life -- it's a test of skill.

Some 2,500 men and women between the ages of 16 and over 60 are competing in the national championships. They are world-class swimmers, but more importantly, they're showing off their world-class life-saving skills.

"We're having a great time, we're trying to place in the top five this weekend," said Volusia County lifeguard Lindsey Breneman. At just 17 years old, Breneman was the rescuer in the rescue-swim competition. Up against teams from other ocean towns, it's fiercely competitive.

"It's amazing to be out here and see the great talent that we have on all of the beaches all across the United States," Breneman said.

The California girls claimed the East Coast water is a cinch compared to the west coast.

"We have more south swells, we have awesome water, we have gnarlier water. So I think we're the best, to be honest," said Julia Garcia, California lifeguard.

Many accomplished athletes showed up to compete. Rob Wallace, 65, retired after 31 years on the beach in Volusia County, came out for the paddle-boarding competition.

"No matter what the age, everybody stays in shape from 16 up to, there's a guy here who's 80, 81 years old," said Wallace.

It's likely that every single contender has saved a life, and they drew a huge crowd to watch them measure those skills against one another. The four-day event puts the world's most famous beach in a national spotlight, and it's also a big economic boost for the area.

"We bring people from all over the United States, they come down here, they stay in our hotels. They eat in our restaurants," said Mark Swanson, Volusia County beach safety director.

Volusia County has hosted the popular event before, and is on track to host again in 2017.

http://www.wesh.com/news/thousands-compete-in-usla-national-lifeguard- championships/34600968

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b ) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

___

Information from: Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com

http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/National-Lifeguard-Championships-wrap-up-in-6432753.php

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/National-Lifeguard-Championships-wrap-up-in- 6432753.php

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.bradenton.com/2015/08/08/5932840_national-lifeguard-championships.html?rh=1

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/state/nj/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up- in-florida/article_4f59546b-72a8-563b-bf56-c8952f20dfef.html

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/state/nj/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in- florida/article_418d1514-ba32-570f-8218-9dae0ff1ca95.html

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.chicoer.com/environment-and-nature/20150808/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap- up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/National-Lifeguard-Championships-wrap-up-in-6432753.php

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_28607141/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up- florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.dailycommercial.com/article_7c7751a8-56bf-5250-a961-71234ed1a87b.html

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b ) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

___

Information from: Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com

http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/9cbb833c85ea48f7aa10d459584315db/FL--National-Lifeguard- Championships

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20150808/APN/308089842

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.expressnews.com/news/article/National-Lifeguard-Championships-wrap-up-in- 6432753.php

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/news/article/National-Lifeguard-Championships-wrap-up-in- 6432753.php

http://florida.newshub.us/miami/news/item/08-08- 2015/National%20Lifeguard%20Championships%20wrap%20up%20in%20Florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.fresnobee.com/news/state/california/article30487809.html

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b ) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

___

Information from: Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com

http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/9cbb833c85ea48f7aa10d459584315db/FL--National- Lifeguard-Championships

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/National-Lifeguard-Championships-wrap-up-in- 6432753.php

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20150808/APN/308089842

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20150808/APN/308089842

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20150808/APN/308089842

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.chron.com/news/article/National-Lifeguard-Championships-wrap-up-in-6432753.php

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.theintell.com/news/state/nj/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in- florida/article_0c9d46a9-58af-5304-bf5d-38f661d25069.html

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://am1170theanswer.com/news/articles/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.kmph-kfre.com/story/29740892/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.fox10phoenix.com/story/29740892/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.ksby.com/story/29740892/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://am1380theanswer.com/news/articles/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.myfoxla.com/story/29740892/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.ktvn.com/story/29740892/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://wn.ktvu.com/category/50721/california-headlines

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.kusi.com/story/29740892/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.kwwl.com/story/29740887/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.theledger.com/article/20150808/APN/308089842

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.lodinews.com/ap/state/article_bf2de8ca-3dea-11e5-8ff2-10604b9f1f4b.html

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/state/article30487809.html

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://tampa.metrobugle.com/2015/08/08/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida/

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/article30487809.html

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.modbee.com/news/state/article30487809.html

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b ) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

___

Information from: Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com

http://www.montereyherald.com/environment-and-nature/20150808/national-lifeguard- championships-wrap-up-in-florida

http://www.mymotherlode.com/news/ap-news- details?ID=a7a1cd16e7d8485590b5839abb3f17f2&type=state&subtype=california

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/National-Lifeguard-Championships-wrap-up-in- 6432753.php

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.news965.com/ap/ap/california/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florid/nnF8K/

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20150808/APN/308089842

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://newstral.com/en/article/en/997577817/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.njherald.com/story/29740887/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.ocala.com/article/20150808/APN/308089842

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b ) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

___

Information from: Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com

http://www.orovillemr.com/environment-and-nature/20150808/national-lifeguard-championships- wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/ap/ap/california/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in- florid/nnF8K/

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b ) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

___

Information from: Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com

http://www.paradisepost.com/environment-and-nature/20150808/national-lifeguard-championships- wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in- florida/article_c83598f0-bf9f-5d6d-a953-c258205a480e.html

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.presstelegram.com/environment-and-nature/20150808/national-lifeguard-championships- wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/article30487809.html

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/aug/08/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up- in/

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/National-Lifeguard-Championships-wrap-up-in-6432753.php

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_28607141/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up- florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/08/08/3754225_national-lifeguard-championships.html?rh=1

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/environment-and-nature/20150808/national-lifeguard- championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/National-Lifeguard-Championships-wrap-up-in-6432753.php

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b ) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

___

Information from: Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com

http://www.tribtown.com/view/story/9cbb833c85ea48f7aa10d459584315db/FL--National-Lifeguard- Championships

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/National-Lifeguard-Championships-wrap-up-in-6432753.php

http://snewsi.com/id/15318246839/

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/National-Lifeguard-Championships-wrap-up-in- 6432753.php

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20150808/APN/308089842

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b ) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

___

Information from: Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/9cbb833c85ea48f7aa10d459584315db/FL--National-Lifeguard- Championships

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20150808/APN/308089842

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.fox10tv.com/story/29740893/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/aug/8/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in- florid/

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/29740893/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b ) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

___

Information from: Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com

http://wfla.com/ap/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida/

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.wflx.com/story/29740893/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b ) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

___

Information from: Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com

http://www.wftv.com/news/ap/california/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florid/nnF8K/

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://am860theanswer.com/news/articles/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://am930theanswer.com/news/articles/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.myfoxny.com/story/29740872/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/29740893/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b ) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

___

Information from: Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com

http://www.local10.com/news/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida/34613862

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/29740893/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/29740869/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.my9nj.com/story/29740869/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-daytona- beach/article_41c9b78a-3e06-11e5-9813-7b0f24e73856.html

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. — Roughly 1,000 athletes from around the country are in Daytona Beach this weekend to compete in the Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships.

Participants are competing in rescue-based challenges, including the American Ironwoman race, a 950-meter course of paddleboarding, swimming and sprinting. The competition wraps up Saturday.

The champion will likely come down to the two favorites — Los Angeles County and Monmouth (New Jersey) County.

Monmouth ended L.A. County's 27-year reign as champions last year in Virginia Beach. But L.A. County held nearly a 16-point lead, with 529 total, going into Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/p9u7m9b) reports notable performers included Mallory Kennedy (1st place, American Ironwoman, Board Race and Surf Race, 30-to-34 age group) and Carrie Purdy (1st place, Surf Race, 35-to-39).

http://www.abc-7.com/story/29740893/national-lifeguard-championships-wrap-up-in-florida

http://www.clickorlando.com/sports/volusia-county-finishes-in-third-place-in-national-lifeguard- championships/34616432

http://www.newsreality.com/post/volusia-finishes-3rd-in-national-lifeguard-championships.html

LA County Surf Life Saving Association adds another championship title after taking down defending champions, Monmouth County; Open and age group champions named in 2K Beach Run, Ironman/Ironwoman, Run-Swim-Run, Surf Ski, Board Rescue, Landline, Run Relay and Taplin Relay

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 8, 2015) – The LA County Surf Life Saving Association won the 2015 Nautica United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Lifeguard Championships team title on Saturday. The LA County group defeated the Monmouth County (N.J.) team, who captured the title last year, which broke LA County’s winning streak for the previous 27 years.

“All of the athletes worked so hard at this event and I am so proud of each and every one of them for their perseverance and stick-to-itiveness,” said LA County team captain Jay Butki. “It is a good feeling, we are pretty happy with the end result and we cannot wait to come back to Daytona in 2017.”

Professional lifeguards from 55 USLA chapters around the country competed for individual and team honors in water and beach course events that challenge their lifesaving skills. LA County Surf Life Saving Association finished with 1076.625 points, earning the Howard Lee Trophy. Monmouth County finished second with 903.625 points and Volusia County Surf Lifesaving Association took third with 307.750 points. In the B Division (chapters with 100 lifeguards or less), Destin, Fla., took the LACOLA Trophy with 576.00 points, beating reigning champions Smith Point, N.Y., who placed second with 410.50 points.

Brian Murphy of LA County Surf Life Saving Association led all men in Open points with a score of 75.750 points. Coronado Beach Lifeguards’, Carter Graves, was the Open women’s points leader, with 90.250 points. “The energetic atmosphere that we had here in Daytona Beach was unparalleled to any other,” said Ed Zebrowski, Competition Committee Chair for the USLA. “The caliber of athleticism, team spirit and competition was beyond anything we could ask for. These lifeguards are the best in the country and they truly showed that to everyone who was a part of the event.”

The final day of competition saw champions crowned in the 2K Beach Run, Ironman/Ironwoman, Run- Swim-Run, Surf Ski, Board Rescue, Landline, Run Relay and Taplin Relay. For more information and for full results from the 2015 Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships, please visit: www.nationalresults.usla.org.

Open (1st through 3rd) and Age Group champions for each of Saturday’s Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships events follow:

2K BEACH RUN: Competitors race 2,000 meters on the beach in two 1,000 meter legs as follows: on the starting signal, competitors race along the left side of the lane to round the turning pole 1,000 meters distant, and return 1,000 meters toward the starting pole, then race to cross the finish line. The finish is judged on the competitor’s chest crossing the finish line. Competitors must finish on their feet in an upright position.

Open Men’s

1. Brad Hort – Sussex County, Del. 2. Zachary Krause – Suffolk, N.Y. 3. Harrison Martingayle – Virginia Beach Lifesaving Association, Va.

Open Women’s

1. Paige Duca – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. 2. Holly Stanton – Destin, Fla. 3. Kevyn Murphy – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Men’s 30-34 1. Cyrus Writer – Dania Beach, Fla.

Women’s 30-34 1. Mallory Kennedy – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.

Men’s 35-39 1. Chad Motz – Nags Head, N.C.

Women’s 35-39 1. Carrie Purdy – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.

Men’s 40-44 1. Alcides De Quesada – Hollywood Beach, Fla.

Women’s 40-44 1. Tamra Marris – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.

Men’s 45-49 1. David Cupp – Miami Beach, Fla.

Women’s 45-49 1. Chris Linkletter – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Fla.

Men’s 50-54 1. Jack Fuchs – Long Beach, N.Y.

Women’s 50-54 1. Ann Finley – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Men’s 55-59 1. Thomas Carey – Long Beach, N.Y.

Women’s 55-59 1. Janet Carbin – Monmouth County, N.J.

Men’s 60-64 1. Murray Baker – Vero Beach, Fla.

Women’s 60-64 1. Susan Wallis – Jax Beach, Fla.

Men’s 65-69 1. James Dinneen – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.

Men’s 70+ 1. April O’ Gorman – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.

BOARD RESCUE: One member of the team swims 120 meters (approx.) to a designated buoy, signals and waits to be picked up by the second member of the team on a board. The both paddle to shore and cross the finish line on the beach with the board. Competitors must start from the correct allotted position. Competitors swimming to and signaling from the wrong buoy shall be disqualified.

Open Men’s

1. Cooper Halligan & Oliver Puddick – Destin, Fla. 2. Brian Murphy & Kevin Fink – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif. 3. Shane Scoogins & Hogan Inscore – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Open Women’s 1. Hallie Petersohn & Mallory Kennedy – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla. 2. Colleen O’Donnell & Kevyn Murphy – Los Angeles City Lifeguard Association, Calif. & LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif. 3. Jessica Collins & Madeline McCullagh – Destin, Fla.

LANDLINE: This event consists of four competitors: one victim, one landline swimmer and two landline pullers. Each team will be assigned to a lane and corresponding flag buoy by random draw immediately before the heat. Heats will start, the landline swimmer with the shoulder strap or harness already on, swims in the assigned lane to the victim. Only the landline pullers may feed line to the swimmer. When the swimmer reaches the victim, the swimmer raises one arm in the air as a sign to the pullers to commence pulling. The victim must hold onto the rescue can with both hands at all times and may kick. Upon signal from the swimmer, the pullers pull victim and swimmer to the beach. Pulling area is restricted to the assigned lane and may be no greater than 25 meters long.

Open

1. Ian Fogarty, Kevin Konarski, Pat Scribner & Sandi Woodhead – Smith Point, N.Y. 2. Mariusz Borkowski, Jacqueline Dominger, Erik Gorman & Keith Kolar – Smith Point, N.Y. 3. Rich Andrews, Brendon Andrews, George Klein & Ryan Zabovnik – Town of Palm Beach, Fla.

4 X 100 RUN RELAY: Teams of four individuals compete in a baton relay fashioned over a 90 meter course. To start, two competitors take position in the assigned lane at each end of the course. After the start, each competitor completes a leg of the course with a baton held in either hand and passes the baton at the conclusion of the first, second and third leg to the next runner. All competitors shall finish their leg of the event on their feet and in an upright position.

Open Men’s

1. Dustin Venables (Sussex County, Del.), Youcef Belrachid, Adam Bielawski & Scott McGiffin – Ocean City, M.d. 2. Bryant Wheatley, Sean O’Donnell, Connor Worthington & Garrett Diehl – Sussex County, Del. 3. Nathan Jones, Samuel McMillion, Louis Fedele & Nicholas DiGuglielmo – Sussex County, Del.

Open Women’s

1. Paige Duca, Amanda Calabrese, Lucy Kolhoff & Sophie Kolhoff – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. 2. Anne Skimmons, Sarah George, Kristen DiTommaso & Mary Kate George – Monmouth County, N.J. 3. Danielle Wong, Kevyn Murphy, Sarah Burris & Tianna Pugliese – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

RUN-SWIM-RUN: From the start line, competitors run to pass around the turning flag and enter the water to swim out to and around the buoys. Competitors swim back to the beach to again run around the turning flag before running to the finish line.

Open Men’s

1. Thomas O’Neill – Riis Park, N.Y. 2. Pat Kilgallen – Riis Park, N.Y. 3. Christian Foti – Riis Park, N.Y.

Open Women’s

1. Kelsey Cummings – Long Beach Lifeguard Association, Calif. 2. Hallie Petersohn – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla. 3. Carter Graves – Coronado Beach Lifeguards, Calif.

Men’s 30-34

1. Corey McMeeking – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla. Women’s 30-34

1. Mallory Kennedy – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla. Men’s 35-39

1. Todd Sudol – Monmouth County, N.J. Women’s 35-39

1. Carrie Purdy – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla. Men’s 40-44

1. Mike Barrows – Monmouth County, N.J. Women’s 40-44

1. Cindy Fajardo – Sussex County, N.J. Men’s 45-49

1. Randy Eickhoff – California State Lifeguard Association, Calif. Women’s 45-49

1. Chris Linkletter – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif. Men’s 50-54

1. Charlie Lydecker – Smith Point, N.Y. Women’s 50-54

1. Gwen Petersohn – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, N.Y. Men’s 55-59

1. John Forrester – Monmouth County, N.J. Women’s 55-59 1. Janet Carbin – Monmouth County, N.J. Men’s 60-64

1. Murray Baker – Vero Beach, Fla. Women’s 60-64

1. Leigh Emerson-Smith – Miami Beach, Fla. Men’s 65-69

1. Ed Heinrich – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif. Men’s 70+

1. John Sink – Monmouth County, N.J.

IRONMAN/IRONWOMAN: Competitors cover a 1,400 meter (approx.) course that includes a swim leg, a board leg, a ski leg and a beach sprint finish.

Open Men’s

1. Brian Murphy – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif. 2. Oliver Puddick – Destin, Fla. 3. Cooper Halligan – Destin, Fla.

Open Women’s

1. Eva Porter – Monmouth County, N.J. 2. Jenna Solberg – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif. 3. Jessica Collins – Destin, Fla.

SURF SKI: Competitors steady their skis in line in knee-deep water about 1.5 meters apart. Competitors paddle their skis around the apex course marked by three buoys in a clockwise direction and return to finish when any part of the ski crosses the in-water finish line-ridden, gripped or carried by the competitor. Competitors may lose contact with their ski without necessarily being disqualified.

Open Men’s

1. Oliver Puddick – Destin, Fla. 2. Jacob Marks – Destin, Fla. 3. Tim Burdiak – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

Open Women’s

1. Madeline McCullagh – Destin, Fla. 2. Eva Porter – Monmouth County, N.J. 3. Tandis Morgan – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

TAPLIN RELAY: Teams of four competitors (one swimmer, one board paddler, one surf skier and one runner) cover the approximately 1,400 meter course in a sequence of legs determined by draw at the start of each competition. The run leg is always the final leg. If the ski leg is first, competitors shall start with a typical in-water start.

Open Men’s

1. Patrick Jacobson, Brian Murphy, Tim Burdiak & Kevin Fink – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif. 2. Bryce Orchard, Cooper Halligan, Justin Lewis & Oliver Puddick – Destin, Fla. 3. Jake Moses, Jacob Marks, Luke Turner & Chris Wise – Destin, Fla.

Open Women’s

1. Tandis Morgan, Jenna Solberg, Kelsey Cummings & Tiana Pugliese – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif. 2. Carter Graves (Coronado Beach Lifeguards, Calif.), Danielle Wong, Maria Bird & Sarah Burris – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif. 3. Jessica Collins, Kisane Irwin, Madeline McCullagh & Holly Stanton – Destin, Fla.

http://swimswam.com/final-results-2015-nautica-usla-national-lifeguard-championships/

DAYTONA BEACH --

The Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association took third place Saturday at the 2015 Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships in Daytona Beach. A total of 55 chapters from Hawaii to New York competed in the four-day event, which was coordinated by the U.S. Lifesaving Association and the Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association in conjunction with Volusia County’s Beach Safety Division.

Los Angeles County won the overall competition for the 41st time since 1970, and Monmouth County, New Jersey placed second. For Volusia County, Lifeguard Mallory Kennedy won five first-place medals in the 30 to 34 age group and teamed with Hallie Petersohn for a win in the open women’s board race.

Other top competitors were Carrie Purdy with three first-place finishes, Kimberly Murphy with three seconds and two third-place finishes, and Capt. Tammy Marris with three medals in her age group. Charlie Lydecker, a Daytona Beach businessman competing for Smith Point, New York, won three first- place medals in the 50 to 55 age group.

Lifeguard Supervisor A.J. Miller and lifeguards Rob Wallace and Alan Holt each had three top-three finishes, while 19-year-old Darius DeBarros scored an upset win in the beach flags competition. County Manager Jim Dinneen added to the medal count by winning the 65 to 69 age division in the 2K beach run. Volusia County hosted the national competitions in 1982, 1996 and 2004 and will host them again in 2017. For complete results, go to http://nationalsresults.usla.org

http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2 015/8/9/volusia_county_finis.html

DAYTONA BEACH -- The Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association took third place Saturday at the 2015 Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships in Daytona Beach. A total of 55 chapters from Hawaii to New York competed in the four-day event, which was coordinated by the U.S. Lifesaving Association and the Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association in conjunction with Volusia County’s Beach Safety Division.

Los Angeles County won the overall competition for the 41st time since 1970, and Monmouth County, New Jersey placed second. For Volusia County, Lifeguard Mallory Kennedy won five first-place medals in the 30 to 34 age group and teamed with Hallie Petersohn for a win in the open women’s board race.

Other top competitors were Carrie Purdy with three first-place finishes, Kimberly Murphy with three seconds and two third-place finishes, and Capt. Tammy Marris with three medals in her age group. Charlie Lydecker, a Daytona Beach businessman competing for Smith Point, New York, won three first- place medals in the 50 to 55 age group.

Lifeguard Supervisor A.J. Miller and lifeguards Rob Wallace and Alan Holt each had three top-three finishes, while 19-year-old Darius DeBarros scored an upset win in the beach flags competition. County Manager Jim Dinneen added to the medal count by winning the 65 to 69 age division in the 2K beach run. Volusia County hosted the national competitions in 1982, 1996 and 2004 and will host them again in 2017. For complete results, go to http://nationalsresults.usla.org

http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/201 5/8/9/volusia_county_finis.html

CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC (WCSC) - For lifeguards on the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) team, competing in the national lifeguard competition in Daytona Beach, Florida was a way to show-off their world-class life-saving skills. The team consists of 4 women and 7 men. The results aren't posted yet, but head lifeguard Stephen Fernandez says the team had a lot of top 16 finishes. "This is the best we have ever done at nationals," said Fernandez. Some 2,500 men and women, between the ages of 16 and over 60, competed in the USLA national lifeguard championships. The four-day event, August 5-9, put the best lifeguards in the country up against each other. The CCPRC lifeguard team placed third in the Atlantic Lifeguard Association (SALA) Championships held in July. That placement nominated them for nationals.

Next year, CCPRC will host the 2016 SALA Championships on Folly Beach for the first time.

http://www.live5news.com/story/29743788/charleston-county-lifeguards-excited-about-performance- at-national-competition

Aug 11, 2015 10:16 AM

By Cailin Riley

John Ryan Jr. remembers the first few years when the Hamptons Lifesaving Association brought a competition team to the USLA National Lifesaving Championships—particularly the fact that the announcers had no idea who they were, referring to them as “the ones in the blue caps.”

They know who those blue caps belong to now.

A decade later, the HLA team—comprised primarily of lifeguards working at East Hampton Town and Village beaches—has made a name for itself, going toe to toe with some of the powerhouse squads in the country, such as LA County, Pompano Beach and Monmouth County.

At this year’s tournament—held at Daytona Beach, Florida, from August 5 to 8—the HLA’s adult and junior team had its best showing in a decade of competition, finishing fourth among all ‘A’ division teams (those with a membership that exceeds 100), and fifth in the open division, which includes both ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams.

While it was a true team effort, two lifeguards in particular emerged as the stars of the tournament for the HLA: Amanda Calabrese and Chasen Dubs.

Calabrese, 18, participated in both the open women’s division and the under-19 division, which was new this year. In the open division, Calabrese scored 57 points, which placed her fifth in the nation individually, but the highlight of her outstanding performance was her victory in beach flags.

Calabrese also was part of another national championship for the HLA, in the women’s 4x100-meter sand relay. She joined with Paige Duca, Lucy Kohlhoff and Sophie Kohlhoff to claim that win. Calabrese also finished ninth in the rescue board race, teamed up with Sophia Taylor to finish eighth in the board rescue race, was ninth in the Ironperson event, took 13th in the surf ski race, and was part of an inter-squad Taplin relay team that finished sixth. She did the surf ski portion of that relay, which also includes a paddle, a swim, and a run. In the under-19 division, Calabrese won both beach flags and the rescue board race and was third in the surf ski race.

Dubs, 14, meanwhile, was the star of the junior tournament, winning every event he entered in the ‘A’ group (13-and-14-year-olds). He won the run-swim-run, the distance swim, the Ironguard competition, and the rescue board race. Dubs also was part of a swim relay team—along with Caroline Oakland, Isabella Swanson, Maggie Purcell, and Amanda Nasti—that finished fourth, and he was second in the torp rescue with Ryan Bahel.

Both Calabrese and Dubs will represent the HLA and the United States as members of the U.S. Lifesaving Association High-Performance Team, which will compete at the World Lifesaving Championships in Australia on August 28. It will be Calabrese’s second year competing on the team, and the first for Dubs.

Calabrese and Dubs were selected from a large pool of prospects from across the country: Only 12 girls and 12 boys make the youth team.

While Calabrese and Dubs were the standouts, there were several other strong performances as well, particularly among the juniors.

In the under-19 division, Andrew Wilson was third in the distance run and sixth in beach flags; Alyssa Bahel was second in the distance run and fifth in beach flags; and Nina Piacentine was fifth in the distance run and eighth in beach flags. In the ‘A’ group, Val Ferraro won beach flags; Margot Varrichio was third in beach flags and seventh in the distance run; Oakland was second in the distance run, ninth in the run-swim-run, and 10th in the distance swim; Purcell was fourth in both the Ironguard and rescue board race, and sixth in both the run-swim-run and the distance swim; and Swanson was fifth in the rescue board race and eighth in Ironguard.

In the ‘B’ group (11-and-12-year-olds), Lila Ferraro won beach flags and was fourth in the rescue board race; Bella Tarbet was second in the distance run and third in beach flags; Ethan McCormac was second in both the distance run and Ironguard and third in the rescue board race; Sophia Swanson won the distance run and had three other top-seven finishes; Aidan Forst won both the Ironguard and rescue board race; Julia Brierley had four top-five finishes; the swim relay team of Forst, Olivia Brabant, Swanson, Brierley and Darcy McFarland finished third; and Swanson and Brierley were fourth in the rescue race.

In the adult competition, Paige Duca won the national title in the distance run, while Lucy Kohlhoff was fifth, Kristen Darby was 13th, and Bahel was 14th; William Weinlandt was sixth in the men’s distance run; Bahel, Piacentine, Shannon Ryan and Darby were sixth in the 4x100 relay; Sophie Kohlhoff was sixth in beach flags, Darby was eight, and Duca was 14th; and Chris Cinque was ninth in men’s beach flags.

In the age group divisions, Tim Treadwell was ninth in the distance run (ages 45 to 49); Kathleen Piacentine was second (50 to 54) in women’s distance run; Craig Brierley was second (50 to 54) in men’s distance run; and John Ryan Jr. was fifth (50 to 54) in men’s distance run. Kathleen Piacentine was also second in beach flags (50 to 54).

John Ryan Jr., who is one of the main coordinators for the trip and heads the junior lifeguard program in the Town of East Hampton said he has been impressed by the work ethic of all the guards, particularly the youngsters and the older lifeguards who facilitate their training throughout the summer.

“It comes down from all these instructors working their tails off with them every weekend,” he said. “And the kids wanting to come down and do more. When we first started going to nationals, we were the small fish in the big pond. Now, we’re the big fish in the small pond.”

Ryan Jr. also added that the HLA was the only team to put all-female squads into the four-person landline competition. The event—which utilizes a long rope attached to a torp flotation device to make a rescue— is the only event at the competition that is coed. Ryan Jr. and the rest of the HLA guards said they believe there should be a female division for the event. He said the announcers and other spectators applauded them for including two women’s teams, which competed against the male squads. Most of the teams typically will only have one woman, who plays the role of the victim in the rescue.

“We made a statement,” Ryan Jr. said, “and they recognized it.”

http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/East-End/118185/Calabrese-And-Dubs-Lead-Charge-For-HLA- At-National-Lifesaving-Championships

http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=SPORTS&ID=5673189968237035 75

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/sports/20150811/local-roundup-stanford-star-maverick- mcnealy-earns-no-1-seed-for-match-play-at-spyglass

Off-season training for Wofford College men’s track and field team student-athlete Gaston Hayworth included competing in the 2015 Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships held this past weekend (Aug. 5-8) in his hometown Daytona Beach, Fla.

He was one of 60 lifeguards representing the Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association (VSLA) and one of more than 2,000 lifeguards who traveled from around the country to compete in the annual event. Hayworth participated in the Beach Flags event, and was part of the four- man team competing in the Landline Rescue Race finals, finishing 13th in the nation. This is Hayworth’s third summer working as one of approximately 200 seasonal lifeguards who comprise the Volusia County Lifeguard Corps.

“It was great to represent my local lifeguard corps and compete against some of the best athletes and lifeguards in the country,” says Hayworth. “Working as a lifeguard on Daytona Beach has turned out to be a good way to stay in shape during the off-season and is a nice complement to the throwing and lifting I do over summer.”

Hayworth (Wofford Class of 2017) is looking forward to another record-breaking season with the Terrier track and field team as a junior this fall. He has set several college records during his career at Wofford, including in the weight throw and shot put. He has also posted personal bests as a Terrier in the hammer and discus throw. Hayworth, a biology major, pre-med track, is the son of Kevin and Maria Hayworth. http://www.wofford.edu/newsroom/2015/Wofford-student-athlete-competes-in-National- Lifeguard-Competition/

http://www.lifeguardtimes.com/2015-usla-national-lifeguard-championships-video/

http://www.pekingpress.com/index.php/sid/235722601

http://portcitydaily.com/2015/08/12/wrightsville-beach-ocean-rescue-team-places-third-in- national-competition/

http://swimswam.com/usla-sends-pro-and-junior-lifeguards-to-2015-international-surf-rescue/

The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) is sending a group of high-performing professional and junior lifeguards to the 2015 International Surf Rescue Challenge (ISRC). The national team and the youth team are each composed of eight males and eight females who will represent the U.S. in the international competition, Sept. 3-6 in Australia.

The 2015 International Surf Rescue Challenge will be held at Maroochydore Beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Participating countries include Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand, the USA and Japan. “The members of the national and youth national teams are a select group of individuals who have demonstrated, at a very high level with consistent success, their unique skills against the best competition in the United States,” said National Teams Director, Skip Prosser. “The ISRC will be a tough challenge, and we are confident in our athletes and we are excited to see them perform at their peak.”

The national and youth national teams, competing in the bi-annual International Life Saving Federation (ILS) sanctioned event, were chosen by a USLA selection committee based on a variety of criteria, including: USLA membership, past performances at national events and endurance and versatility in the pool and on the beach.

“The USLA is proud to be the sole Full Member of the International Life Saving Federation and the sanctioning body for lifesaving sport in the USA, thus empowering us to select the U.S. Team,” said USLA President, B. Chris Brewster. “Lifesaving sport is recognized by the International Olympic Committee with the ILS being the global sanctioning body and we are thrilled to select the athletes that represent our country in Australia.”

The competition, which is held every two years, is a gathering of the world’s top lifesavers. It began in 1939 as the Trans-Tasman Series between Australia and New Zealand.

The national and youth national team rosters follow:

2015 U.S. National Team Roster

Men’s Team Women’s Team James Bray – Carpinteria, Calif. Christina Boring – San Clemente, Calif. Timothy Burdiak – Los Angeles Sandi Woodhead – Port Jefferson, N.Y. Kevin Fink – Long Beach, Calif. Annie Fittin – Sea Girt, N.J. Patrick Fink – Long Beach, Calif. Carter Graves – Coronado Beach, Calif. Pat Kilgallen – Rockaway, N.Y. Jennifer Noonan – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Thomas O’Neill – Rockaway, N.Y. Eva Porter – Jacksonville, Fla. Rich Sprout- Costa Mesa, Calif. Hallie Petersohn – Port Orange, Fla. Garrett Thibodeau – Port Jefferson, N.Y. Lexi Santer – Wilmington, Del.

Manager: Randy Eickhoff Coach: Dr. Mike Barrows

2015 U.S. Youth National Team Roster

Men’s Team Women’s Team Ben Coffey – Santa Cruz City, Calif. Sarah Brennan – Monmouth, N.J. Chasen Dubs – East Hampton, N.Y. Amanda Calabrese – East Hampton, N.Y. Hayden Hemmens – Newport Beach, Zoe Colomer – Los Angeles Calif. Oli Holt – Santa Cruz City, Calif. Natalie Gold – Los Angeles Hunter Pflueger – Honolulu, Hawaii Holly Maine – Los Angeles Benjamin Tran – Long Beach, Calif. Isabelle Pabon – Monmouth, N.J. Malcolm Wilkie – Hollywood, Fla. Bella Siering – Los Angeles Chris Wise – Destin, Fla. Shannon Snell – Pompano Beach, Fla.

Manager: Gus Avila Coach: Casey Graham

https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/united-states-lifesaving-association-sending-16-to- international-surf-rescue-challenge/

http://wgmd.com/ocean-city-sussex-county-take-home-lifeguard-awards

Chasen Dubs, who’s only 14, realized a goal this past weekend in Daytona Beach, Fla., by making the cut for the United States Lifesaving Association’s international high- performance squad — a squad, made up of eight boys and eight girls picked from throughout the country, that is to compete in the world championships in Australia in the first week of September.

This precocious athlete, who’s been in East Hampton’s junior lifeguard program since the age of 8, and who is not yet of age to be certified as a lifeguard here, thus joins 17- year-old Amanda Calabrese on the United States’ international team.

At Daytona Beach, while Dubs competed in the U.S.L.A.’s 14-and-15-year-old age group (one that he dominated), he was at the same time being judged by the U.S. team’s coaching staff in relation to older fellow applicants who were in the under-19 division.

“It was incredibly exciting,” said Dubs’s father, Christopher. “People were noticing him. He won the first event, the run-swim-run, he won the second, the long-distance swim . . . by a great margin. . . . He won the Iron Man, he won the paddleboard race. . . . By the time it came for his fourth gold, the judges were saying, ‘Is it that kid again?’ ”

Moreover, Dubs and Ryan Bahel teamed up, as they have for the past several years, in the torp rescue, taking the silver, and Dubs swam the lead leg in the swim relay (his teammates in that event were Caroline Oakland, Isabella Swanson, Amanda Nasti, and Maggie Purcell), which finished fourth.

Despite his stellar finishes in the younger group, it still wasn’t a lead-pipe cinch that Dubs would be picked for the pared-down United States’ international high- performance squad of 16, his father said. The call, from the coach, Casey Graham (who’d been particularly impressed when told of Dubs’s 22.89 in the 50 freestyle last winter), came at about 10:30 that night, by which time, he said, his son, exhausted, was asleep.

“When I woke him up,” said his father, “to tell him the coach had called to tell him he’d been picked for the international squad, Chasen said, ‘Ahh, that’s great. . . .’ It’s likely that he’s the youngest member, or perhaps one of the two youngest, on the squad.”

The 15-to-19-year-old division had been created by the U.S.L.A. “so that these younger kids wouldn’t be left in limbo as far as high-level competition goes,” said Christopher Dubs, adding that the training his son, who’s to continue his education in Sarasota, Fla., this fall, had received here in the junior lifeguard, the Y.M.C.A. East Hampton RECenter, and East Hampton High School’s swimming programs had been extraordinary. In Sarasota, he’ll swim with its Y.M.C.A.’s team, which is tops, his father said, in the nation.

“Before moving here with him when he was 31/2 from Casey Key [Fla.] I did a lot of research. . . . East Hampton seemed to be it. It was on the water, it had that sense of community that I was looking for. I wanted to raise him to be accountable for his actions. . . . I know it’s been said before, but it does take a village. This place is amazing, there’s no place like it.”

The international lifeguard competition will be in Maroochydore, Australia, from Sept. 1 through 6. It’s not the first time Dubs has been abroad — he swam with a U.S. youth team in Italy a couple of years ago, a team for which Amanda Calabrese also competed. Asked what his ultimate athletic goal might be, Dubs, who has also qualified to compete in the Eastern surfing championships in Nag’s Head, N.C., at the end of September, said he’d like to swim in the Olympics, in the 50 and in other freestyle races.

“All the coaches here . . . Tom Cohill, the Ryans, Sharon McCobb, Craig Brierley . . . have been exceptional,” said his father. “Not to mention the Calabreses, who helped open doors with the U.S.L.A., and all the other volunteers who have allowed my son to fulfill his potential. It’s deeply appreciated.”

http://easthamptonstar.com/Sports/2015813/Fourteen-Year-Old-Makes-International-Lifeguard-Squad

http://www.middlevillageny.com/page/5/ By Clayton Collier

Smith Point lifeguards are known as some of the nation’s best. The beach has not had a drowning within the protected area since the beach officially opened in 1959. Now two of their squad have a chance to prove they are among the best in the world, competing in the International Surf Rescue Challenge in Australia. Lifeguards Sandi Woodhead and Garrett Thibodeau, both Port Jefferson residents, will be among the competitors representing Team USA at the games in September.

“It means everything,” Thibodeau said. “I’m so honored to be able to represent the United States and compete against the best competitors in the world.”

Both Woodhead and Thibodeau will compete in the beach sprint, taplin relay, rescue race and beach flags events. The pair qualified for the international contest after participating on Smith Point’s team in the 2015 Nautica/Brown and Brown USLA National Lifeguard Championships in Daytona Beach, Fla., this past weekend.

Smith Point, an eight-time national champion, finished second at the national games for small beaches. Individually, Woodhead finished second in beach flags, while Thibodeau came in fifth. Woodhead also came in first place in the landline rescue event.

She was pleased with how she finished.

“I would have liked to have done better, because I always challenge myself,” Woodhead said. “But I am happy with how I performed and I am definitely proud of how well my team did.”

Their coach and longtime teammate, Mike Barrows, said the Port Jefferson pair both performed well but he expects an even better performance from Thibodeau in the future.

“Garrett was a bit disappointed in his performance,” he said. “However, he did not rest [before] USLA nationals and trained right through it. With proper rest, I’m assured he could have won a national beach flags title. They will both be ready and race really well in Australia.” Making it to nationals is no easy task. Woodhead said that out of the 98 lifeguards employed at Smith Point, about two dozen are chosen for the competition. Each morning, the lifeguards must run a 5K in soft sand and perform workouts when they are off the tower.

“If you show that you are excelling in these workouts, the captains and chiefs will take notice, and bring you if they believe you will do well on a national level against thousands of other ocean lifeguards,” Woodhead said.

Thibodeau, who is in his 13th year competing, said he has noticed an increase in attention to the games. The beach flags finals occurred at 8 p.m. under floodlights before a large crowd and was streamed live online. Thibodeau said the growing interest helps to pump him up before his events.

“While I always take my events seriously, knowing that there’s going to be more people watching heightens the energy level, and I feed off of that,” he said. “Imagine playing any sport in an empty stadium compared to a packed stadium with fans cheering. The level of play is going to rise.”

Open and Youth National teams coordinator Skip Prosser said the growing attention to the sport is the result of the hard work and effort of a number of people.

“Any excitement or progression in the level of popularity of the sport is surely the work of all those who have ever been involved, specifically those individuals who have worked for many years on the promotion of the sport and continue to do so, without any official USLA title,” he said. “It is with great hope that when my appointment ends, that I can look back and say that I made a difference.”

As a result of the increased interest, Thibodeau has noticed a higher level of competition at the events. As he heads off to Australia with Team USA next month, however, he said the international games have always been a monster all their own. “You don’t have the luxury of warming up and getting into your groove,” he said. “You’re going against the best from the very first run. You need to be on point out of the gate, or you could be out.”

http://tbrnewsmedia.com/local-lifeguards-to-compete-on-international-level/

http://www.galvnews.com/opinion/columns/article_05d7f0da-4224-11e5-b21f-5bccae230ed4.html

http://www.glendaleny.com/category/local-news/page/2/

http://www.lifeguardtimes.com/2015-usla-national-junior-lifeguard-championships-video/

Lifeguards from Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) recently competed in the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Lifeguard Championships and made their mark as one of the top lifeguard teams in the country. The event took place in Daytona Beach Aug. 6-8. Overall, CCPRC’s team placed 11th in the country, out of 42 teams in their division, which consisted of the largest beaches in the country (based on number of staff members). CCPRC’s team consisted of 11 members, including four women - Hannah Craig, Taylor Stubbs, Mary Stewart Wilson and Peyton Wilson; and seven men - Bo Blythe, Stephen Fernandez, Stephen Heyward, Max Hutton, Clark Noble, John Radel and Anthony Tipton. The women competitors took home six individual top 20 awards, with two in the top 10, as well as five top 20 team awards, with one in the top 10. The men took home two top 20 team awards, and seven top 10 individual age group awards.

CCPRC team member Hannah Craig also competed individually in two events in the Junior division (under 19) of the national competition and placed in the top three in both events, the Run-Swim-Run (2nd place) and the Surf Swim race (3rd place).

The top 20 open and top 10 age group winners for the USLA Adult Lifeguard National Championships were:

Open Women winners:

Hannah Craig: Run-Swim-Run, 7th; Surf Swim Race, 13th; American Ironwoman, 17th

Mary Stewart Wilson: 2K Beach Run, 7th

Peyton Wilson: Surf Swim Race, 12th

Taylor Stubbs: 2K Beach Run, 11th

Team events:

4 x 100 Run Relay, 9th – Craig, Wilson, Wilson, Stubbs

Rescue Race, 10th – Craig, Wilson, Wilson, Stubbs

Board Rescue Race, 13th – Craig, Stubbs

Board Rescue Race, 15th – Wilson, Wilson

Taplin Relay, 16th – Craig, Wilson, Wilson, Stubbs

Open Men winners (team events):

Board Rescue Race, 15th – Bo Blythe, Anthony Tipton

Rescue Race, 19th – Max Hutton, Stephen Fernandez, John Radel, Shaun Buen (Nags Head)

Age Group Men winners:

Clark Noble: Surf Swim Race, 3rd; 2K Beach Run, 4th; Ironman, 4th

Stephen Fernandez: Run-Swim-Run, 5th; Ironman, 7th; Surf Swim Race, 7th

John Radel: Surf Ski, 10th

Next year, CCPRC will host the regional competition for USLA lifeguards, the South Atlantic Lifesaving Association Championships, on Folly Beach for the first time. CCPRC has been staffing lifeguarded areas since 1976, when they began lifeguarding the beach at Kiawah Beachwalker Park. Today, CCPRC employs about 150 lifeguards at three water parks, and about 50 lifeguards at three beach parks (Beachwalker, Isle of Palms, and Folly Beach County Parks) and the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. For details on CCPRC lifeguards and their training, visit http://www.ccprc.com/1247/Lifeguards-Safety. For more information on CCPRC, visit www.CharlestonCountyParks.com.

The United States Lifesaving Association is America’s nonprofit, professional association of beach lifeguards and open water rescuers. The USLA works to reduce the incidence of death and injury in the aquatic environment through public education, national lifeguard standards, training programs, promotion of high levels of lifeguard readiness, and other means. For more information or for full results from the National Lifeguard Championship, visit usla.org.

CCPRC manages ocean access lifeguard staff at Folly Beach County Park, the Folly Beach Fishing Pier, Isle of Palms County Park, and Kiawah Beachwalker Park. The mission of CCPRC is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs and services. The large park system features over 10,000 acres of property and includes three land parks, three beach parks, four seasonally-lifeguarded beach areas, three dog parks, two landmark fishing piers, three waterparks, 19 boat landings, a climbing wall, a challenge course, an interpretive center, an equestrian center, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding, meeting and event facilities. The park system also offers a wide variety of recreational services – festivals, camps, classes, programs, and more. For more information on CCPRC, call 843-795-4386, download the Charleston County Parks mobile app, or visit CharlestonCountyParks.com.

http://www.moultrienews.com/article/20150814/MN01/150819820/1014/MN

On paper, having Daytona Beach host a national lifeguard competition makes sense. On sand and surf, the 2015 Nautica USLA Lifeguard Championships indeed proved to be a success.

The four-day event held Aug. 5-8 drew more than 1,000 athletes representing 55 teams from around the country to compete in swimming, running and rescue-based challenges on the beach behind the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. It attracted many spectators each day, many of them curious beachgoers who wandered by and stayed to watch.

It was the third time the event has been held in Daytona Beach but the first since 2004. Give a lot of credit to local businessman Charlie Lydecker − himself an accomplished swimmer and former lifeguard — and to Volusia County’s Lifeguard Corps Beach Director Mark Swanson for organizing it.

It was a good weekend for the locals, as the squad from the Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association finished third overall, behind champion Los Angeles and runner-up Monmouth, New Jersey.

Hosting the national championships has an obvious economic benefit to the community. It puts heads in beds, filling local hotel rooms, which in turn means more restaurant meals eaten and more souvenirs sold (last year’s event was credited with adding $500,000 in direct spending to Virginia Beach). But these kinds of events also expose Daytona Beach to a lot of new visitors who can take an enjoyable experience back home with them and spread the word, to other athletic and professional groups as well as family and friends who might consider coming here. Considering the Halifax Area Advertising Authority spent only $15,750 to promote the event (private sponsors contributed more), that’s a solid return on investment.

It’s not just a success for the area economy and tourism. Hosting the championships also represents a triumph for the county’s Beach Safety Ocean Rescue department, which has rebounded under Swanson’s direction.

Swanson was appointed in January 2013 following three years of turmoil in the department, which previously was called the Beach Patrol. It had been wracked by a scandal involving older male staff having sexual relations with teenage female lifeguards, as well as a 2011 incident in which a Beach Patrol truck ran over a sunbather’s head.

Swanson was brought in to oversee a major shift in the department’s approach in which it focused less on law enforcement and more on lifesaving and other lifeguard services. In his more than two years on the job Beach Safety Ocean Rescue has improved its image and done an admirable job living up to its new name and mission. For example, over the busy Memorial Day weekend that was marked by severe rip currents, Ocean Rescue pulled some 500 people from the waters up and down the county’s 47 miles of beach. Two swimmers died, but the potential was there for far worse.

Kudos to all those involved with making the Lifeguard Championships at Daytona Beach a reality, and a success. The performance by local organizers and participants bodes well for the event’s return here in 2017.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20150815/OPINION/150819741/101027?Title=Lifeguard- Championships-went-swimmingly

Lifeguards Patrick Kilgallen and Thomas O’Neill competed in the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Lifeguard Championships four years ago and have never missed a competition since.

Kilgallen, 21, of Rockaway and O’Neill, 25, of Malverne, Long Island have been lifeguards for six and eight years respectively and work at Jacob Riis Park during the summer. They were persuaded by a friend to register for the USLA National Lifeguard Championships and this summer, from Aug. 6 to Aug. 8, they competed and swam their way toward victory in a number of events in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Jacob Riis Park team, which also included O’Neill’s brother Brian and lifeguard Christian Foti, competed in the rescue race, surf race, run swim run, board rescue and iron man.

“Our team, though were small, do quite well,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill, Kilgallen and Foti swept the board, earning first, second and third place respectively for the run swim run event. The Riis Park team also excelled during the surf race where they took second, third and fourth place. Thomas O’Neill, the only member to compete in the iron man, the premiere event that includes a combination of swim, paddle and rescue races, placed fourth out of 16 final competitors.

“Training for the championships was a grueling process that included multiple training sessions each day,” Kilgallen said. “Both in the pool, ocean and weight room we train all year round to prepare for the championships. We have a small tight-knit training group at Riis Park which is among the top training groups in the country.”

Competing in these lifeguard events has allowed Kilgallen and O’Neill to travel all around the world to put their hours of training to use. Last year, O’Neill traveled to Montpellier, France to compete in the Lifesaving World Championships and this summer, Kilgallen and O’Neill will travel to Maroochydore, Australia from Aug. 27 to Sept. 6 for the International Surf Rescue Challenge where they will represent team USA. Kilgallen and O’Neill were two of 16 members chosen to represent their country against top competitors from Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, South Africa and Japan.

“Pat and I, as well as my brother and Christian, we’re really passionate about the competition side of lifeguarding,” O’Neill said. “We love the competition side of things and the opportunity it provided us by being able to travel the world and compete in countries like Japan, France, Australia.”

Though training and competing in these championships is challenging and demanding, O’Neill has several rescue stories that illustrate how difficult and important his job as a lifeguard is. This summer, O’Neill rescued a man at Riis Park who got caught in a riptide and hit his head on a rock jetty. The man “was really drunk,” which made the rescue more difficult.

O’Neill also rescued a man who suffered a severe heart attack. The man was not able to hold on to the life- saving device, making it harder for him and his partner to carry the 200-pound man out of the water. He then had to perform CPR on the man for 10 minutes before he regained consciousness.

“We love protecting the public and making sure that everyone goes home safely,” O’Neill said. That’s really what the job is all about.”

http://queenscourier.com/jacob-riis-park-lifeguards-take-top-spots-in-usla-national-lifeguard- championships/

Four local lifeguards were honored with top places in a national open men’s competition on August 5-8, and now are headed to a worldwide lifeguarding competition in September.

Riis Park lifeguards Thomas O’Neill, Patrick Kilgallen, Christian Foti, and Brian O’Neill were the only four representing New York City in the annual competition and, while two of those men are headed back to saving lives in Rockaway, the other two men are headed to represent Team USA in Australia’s International Surf Rescue Challenge.

The four lifeguards tallied top scores in various water and beach events at the 2015 Nautica United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Lifeguard Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida.

All four also competed in the Open Men’s Run-Swim-Run race, with O’Neill in 1st place, Kilgallen in 2nd place, Foti in 3rd place, and Brian O’Neill in 4th place. The men had to race to a flag, enter the water to swim out to buoys, swim back onto land, and again run around a flag and finally run to the finish line. Open division races are open to competitors as young as 16.

Kilgallen and Thomas O’Neill took a few minutes to talk with The Wave during preliminary races in Florida.

O’Neill, 25, is from Nassau County but visited Rockaway Beach every summer when he was growing up. He credits his father for influencing him to become a lifeguard 8 years ago. “I became a lifeguard when I was 18 because my dad is the Assistant Chief of Riis Park—for the past 42 years. I’ve been stationed in Riis Park every summer since then.” Belle Harbor native Kilgallen, 21, is an alumnus of Manhattan’s Xavier High School, a student at Binghamton University, and has been a lifeguard for five years. He comes from a long line of family members who were lifeguards, so his decision to pursue the occupation was an easy one. When asked about their most significant or dramatic rescue to date, the men told The Wave their stories.

“Last summer, four or five girls got stuck in a jetty. They weren’t locals. We pulled them out and back to shore and, in the end, they were all safe,” Kilgallen said.

But O’Neill recalled the dangers and challenges of being in the ocean, even without strong riptides, as well as the need for speed and endurance on the job. “A man in his 50s had a massive heart attack in the water two summers ago, not far off shore. My partner and I ran to rescue him together, but he was already gone by the time we got to him,” O’Neill said.

According to Ed Zebrowski, Competition Committee Chair for the USLA, “The caliber of athleticism, team spirit and competition was beyond anything we could ask for. These lifeguards are the best in the country and they truly showed that to everyone who was a part of the event.”

http://www.rockawave.com/news/2015-08-14/Sports/Best_Of_The_Best.html By SAVANNAH VASQUEZ 654-8464 | @destinlogsav [email protected]

Posted Aug. 15, 2015 at 3:00 PM It’s been six years in the making, but this summer the Destin Beach Safety Lifeguards reigned victorious as they were named national champions in their division at the 2015 Nautica United States Lifesaving Association National Lifeguard Championships in Daytona Beach.

“We won!” said Beach Safety Chief Joe D’Agostino, who oversees the program. “We’re the best in the country, no one is better than us!”

D’Agostino explained that the Destin squad falls under the B Division, which pits small beach patrols with 100 employees or less against each other in the lifeguarding competition.

This year, Destin competed against about 20 other teams and edged out reigning champions Smith Point from New York to take the win.

“We’ve tried for a long, long time for this,” said D’Agostino. “The first year we took fifth place, then we’ve taken either second or third place each year since then.”

D’Agostino said this year, Destin’s team bonded together well and were self-motivated to meet the challenge.

“This is all done on their own time,” he said. “We’ve put in a lot of time and effort to get this accomplished.”

The Destin competitive team is made up of 25 participants, 10 women and 15 men. D’Agostino said that every year Destin’s Beach Safety program brings in lifeguards from overseas to help man it’s busy summer beaches, and this year the competitive team saw seven international members mixed in with Florida locals.

In addition to the overall competition win, Destin also had several lifeguards take home individual awards.

“The competition was really a bit bigger than I expected,” said Madeline “Moo” McCullagh of Australia, who took first place in the country for women’s surf ski. “Some of the other girls were really good, but they haven’t had as much experience as I have.”

With a national championship under their belts, D’Agostino said he expects Destin’s lifeguarding program to just keep growing in popularity, especially amongst the locals.

“I think the ultimate achievement is that we are seeing a change in the culture for our local lifeguarding,” he said. “People in this area are gravitating towards this and it’s making things a whole lot better in the community.”

http://www.thedestinlog.com/article/20150812/NEWS/150819763 By SAVANNAH VASQUEZ 654-8464 | @destinlogsav [email protected]

Posted Aug. 15, 2015 at 3:00 PM

It’s been six years in the making, but this summer the Destin Beach Safety Lifeguards reigned victorious as they were named national champions in their division at the 2015 Nautica United States Lifesaving Association National Lifeguard Championships in Daytona Beach.

“We won!” said Beach Safety Chief Joe D’Agostino, who oversees the program. “We’re the best in the country, no one is better than us!”

D’Agostino explained that the Destin squad falls under the B Division, which pits small beach patrols with 100 employees or less against each other in the lifeguarding competition.

This year, Destin competed against about 20 other teams and edged out reigning champions Smith Point from New York to take the win.

“We’ve tried for a long, long time for this,” said D’Agostino. “The first year we took fifth place, then we’ve taken either second or third place each year since then.”

D’Agostino said this year, Destin’s team bonded together well and were self-motivated to meet the challenge.

“This is all done on their own time,” he said. “We’ve put in a lot of time and effort to get this accomplished.”

The Destin competitive team is made up of 25 participants, 10 women and 15 men. D’Agostino said that every year Destin’s Beach Safety program brings in lifeguards from overseas to help man it’s busy summer beaches, and this year the competitive team saw seven international members mixed in with Florida locals.

In addition to the overall competition win, Destin also had several lifeguards take home individual awards.

“The competition was really a bit bigger than I expected,” said Madeline “Moo” McCullagh of Australia, who took first place in the country for women’s surf ski. “Some of the other girls were really good, but they haven’t had as much experience as I have.”

With a national championship under their belts, D’Agostino said he expects Destin’s lifeguarding program to just keep growing in popularity, especially amongst the locals.

“I think the ultimate achievement is that we are seeing a change in the culture for our local lifeguarding,” he said. “People in this area are gravitating towards this and it’s making things a whole lot better in the community.”

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/20150815/NEWS/150819420

by Randy Angel

Avenging last year’s loss that snapped a 27-year winning streak, the LA County Surf Life Saving team recaptured the Nautica United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Championship held Aug. 8 at Daytona Beach, Fla.

Led by Redondo Beach’s Brian Murphy, LA County amassed 1076.625 points to dethrone defending champion Monmouth County, N.J. (903.625) and earn the Howard Lee Trophy.

Volusia County Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.placed third with 307.750 points in the event that featured professional lifeguards from 55 USLA chapters who competed for individual and team honors in water and beach course events that challenge their lifesaving skills. Murphy scored 75.750 points as the Men’s Overall Point Leader. He won the Board Race and Ironman evenst, finished first in the Taplin Relay with partners Tim Burdiak, Patrick Jacobson and Kevin Fink and placed second in Board Rescue with Kevin Fink

Carter Graves (Coronado Beach Lifeguards), was the Open women’s points leader, with 90.250 points.

“All of the athletes worked so hard at this event and I am so proud of each and every one of them for their perseverance and stick-to-itiveness,” said LA County team captain Jay Butki. “It is a good feeling, we are pretty happy with the end result and we cannot wait to come back to Daytona in 2017.”

Along with Murphy winning the Men’s Open Board Race, many other LA County representatives captured age division titles in the discipline including Patrick Jacobson (Men’s 30-34), Deirdre Fisher (Women’s 50-54), Mitch Kahn (Men’s 55-59) and Shari Latta (Women’s 55-59).

Ironman/Ironwoman age divisions winners included Jacobson (Men’s 30-34, Tandis Morgan (Women’s 30-34), Jeff Lombardo (Men’s 35-39), Rob Pelkey (Men’s 45-49), Ann Finley (Women’s 50-54), Kahn (Men’s 55-59), Latta (Women’s 55-59) and Dala Dama (Men’s 60-64).

LA County’s Nicholas Sullivan, Michael Murphy, Jeff Lombardo and Kevin Fink finished third in the Men’s Open Rescue Race.

In Surf Race action, Kevin Fink won the Men’s Open title while Jacobson (Men’s 30-34), Lombardo (Men’s 35-39), Chris Linkletter (Women’s 45-49), Fisher (Women’s 50-54), Kahn (Men’s 55-59) and Adama (Men’s 60-64) were age division winners.

In the American Ironman competition, Jeff Hart placed third in the Open Men’s. Winning their age groups were Lombardo (Men’s 35-39), Rob Pelkey (Men’s 45-49), Mel Solberg (Men’s 50-54) and Kahn (Men’s 55-59).

In the 2K Beach Run, LA County’s Kevyn Murphy placed third in the Open Women’s competition while Ann Finley won the Women’s 50-54 age group.

LA County had two third-place finishers in the Board Rescue with Shane Scoggins and Hogan Inscore (Open Men’s) and Colleen O’Donnell (LA City) and Kevyn Murphy (Open Women’s).

Kevyn Murphy also placed third in the 4×100 Run Relay with teammates Danielle Wong, Sarah Burris and Tianna Pugliese.

El Segundo’s Kelsey Cummings (Long Beach Lifeguard Association) won the Run-Swim-Run Open Women’s crown with age division titles going to Chris Linkletter (Women’s 45-49) and Ed Heinrich (Men’s 65-69)

Jenna Solberg, of Torrance, placed second in the Ironwoman Open competition and LA County had third-place finishes in the Men’s and Women’s Open Surf Ski events with Tim Burdiak and Tandis Morgan.

Women took the top two spots in the Taplin Relay with Morgan, Solberg, Cummings and Pugliese edging the team of Carter Graves, Daniele Wong, Maria Bird and Sarah Burns. http://www.easyreadernews.com/107956/la-county-lifeguards-usla-brian-murphy/

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http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/sports/20150825/local-roundup-santa-cruzs-coffey-selected-for- national-lifeguard-team

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Team Pompano junior lifeguards in top form at USLA nationals

Pompano Beach junior lifeguards will not soon forget their recent trip to Daytona Beach for this year's United States Lifesaving Association Junior National Championships in Daytona Beach.

Team Pompano sent 48 athletes ages 9-18, and 15 of them (10 individual, one relay team and one duo) came back as national champions.

In all, Team Pompano accumulated 69 medals while competing against 425 participants from 29 teams across the nation.

"This … is a dream as a coach," said Pompano junior lifeguard coordinator Chris Nowviskie. "The funny thing is we could have had a lot more national titles as we had a lot of second-place finishes."

Jake Schulte, 9, was a three-time champion in the C division as he won the Ironguard, Distance Run and Paddleboard competitions.

His sister Summer finished in first in the Paddleboard and Run-Swim-Run events in the B division.

"The competition was a lot harder this year, but I thought I could win at least one event," Jake said. "Winning the long-distance run was great because even though I'm not that fast, I can run long distances. I was kind of surprised to win the paddle and ironman, so I'm pretty proud."

Teammate Isabella Taylor took double gold in the B division (Ironguard and Distance Swim). Thomas Calice won the Beach Flag in the C division, while Shane Schulte and Chase Perry teamed up to win the A division's Swim/Rescue title. The A division Swim Relay challenge was won by Shane Schulte, Alejandro Quinones, Mia Marquez, Ronald Hache and Perry.

Taylor and teammate Summer Schulte each racked up two gold and three silver medals.

"I was really looking forward to nationals this year and Coach Chris really taught us a lot about skills, waves and ocean currents," said Taylor, a 12-year-old from Hollywood. "Competing against Summer is always a tough race, but we always hug and congratulate each other. We push each other to the limit."

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/pompano-beach/fl-cnsp-digestbr-0830-20150830- story.html

Jennifer Noonan loves to compete, and she loves to be in the ocean. She's a lifeguard and she enjoys being around other lifeguards.

"To exchange information," she said. "To learn about new lifesaving equipment and what's going on at other beaches. And we love to test our skills against each other." That's why Noonan, 40, was one of 1,000 lifeguards competing in the 2015 Nautica U.S. Lifesaving Association's National Lifeguard Championship in Daytona Beach last month.

"It's a sport for lifeguards," she said.

Noonan has entered every championship competition since she moved to Fort Lauderdale in 2003. To enter, competitors must be professional lifeguards or alumni members of a USLA chapter.

The events are based on lifeguard skills, said Noonan, who lifeguards at beaches on Fort Lauderdale, Delray Beach and Dania Beach. Some of the events, as she describes them, sound like endurance training for Olympic athletes.

Like the Open Women's Tallinn Relay, one of the nine events she chose to compete in.

"It starts in the water. It consists of teams of four competitors — a paddle boarder, a swimmer, a runner, and a surf-skier," she said. The competitors have to cover a 1,400-meter-course, concluding with "a beach sprint finish.

"I placed fourth," she said. "It was a good finish."

She came in fifth in Open Iron Woman, which is also something beginners shouldn't try, since it requires competitors to cover another 1,400-meter- course — first by swimming, then by paddleboard, then by water ski and ending with a sprint.

"I'd say I had a solid performance," Noonan said.

Tamarah Strauss, spokeswoman for the championship, said that Noonan "competed in events open to all ages as well as events for her age group, and overall she did well. She's also recognized as one of the top eight lifeguards in the country."

"There's no money for winning," Noonan said. "We do the competition for the same reason people run races: just to win. I'd just come back from the prestigious Molokai National in Hawaii — I'd say I did well there, too."

Well enough that she's able to compete at the International Surf Rescue Challenge in Australia. "It's a big deal," Strauss said. "Only 16 professional lifeguards were chosen."

Right now, Noonan is "fundraising," getting the money together to manage the Australia trip. It's all part of a life in the water. "We're born that way, just as some are born landlubbers and others prefer mountains," she said. "I've been doing it since I was a child on the Jersey shore. There won't be a time when I stop doing this. It's something for all ages."

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Pompano Beach junior lifeguard Shannon Snell will be joined by Hollywood junior lifeguard Malcolm Wilkie as members of 2015 United States Lifesaving Association High Performance Squad to compete in the International Surf Rescue Challenge 2015, sponsored by the International Life Saving Federation, Sept. 5 and 6 in Australia. The under-19 team is comprised of 16 athletes who were selected from junior lifeguard programs across the United States.

The team will be competing against some of the world's top programs like New Zealand, Australia, France, South Africa, Canada, Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. The three-day tournament will feature 10 events each day, with top scores accumulated by team totals. This is the first time the United States has participated in this event on the junior level, and that has High Performance Squad Coach and Pompano Junior Lifeguard Coordinator Chris Nowviskie excited.

"This is huge for this hybrid age group of merging junior lifeguards' under-19 to be recognized with professionals and one of the biggest things to happen in my career," Nowviskie said. "I've worked with both [Snell] and [Wilkie] this summer and they are all-around athletes who are proficient in all disciplines... This is the experience of a lifetime for both athletes. In two short years this under-19 program has grown 1,000 percent."

Snell, an 18-year-old resident of Pompano Beach, represented the United States in last year's World Championship in France. The Cardinal Gibbons Catholic High School senior competes on both the swim team and track and field team, and she is hoping her international experience will pay dividends for the squad. To get acclimated with conditions on the other side of the world, Snell left for Australia a week earlier to train with Australian lifesaving coaches at Surfers Paradise in Queensland.

"I have been involved with the Pompano Junior Lifeguard program for the past nine years, each summer," Snell said. "As one of the older High Performance guards, I'm hoping to assume a leadership role and want us to compete as family, not just teammates. I have been training just about every day in the pool and ocean and want to have a good tournament." At 14-years of age, Wilkie will be one of the younger competitors. The Hollywood resident is a freshman at Hollywood Hills High School. He has been in the Hollywood junior lifeguard program since age 7.

"It is awesome to be selected and I didn't think I would make the team," Wilkie said. "My strengths are the paddleboard and the ironman events. I heard the competition is very good and I will do my best. I'm super excited to be going... This is all pretty cool."

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A Malibu High School athlete will represent the United States in an international lifeguarding competition. Junior Benjamin Tran, who competes for the MHS swim and water polo teams, was selected to the Youth National Team for the U.S. Lifesaving Association. The team is set to compete from Sept. 3-6 in the Sixth International Surf Rescue Challenge.

“I’m really honored,” Tran said. “This is a great opportunity. I put it in a lot of hard work and I’m glad that it [paid off].

The youth team is comprised of eight boys and girls from all over the country. The members of the team were announced at the 2015 USLA National Championships at Daytona Beach, Florida.

“When they announced the names, I was just super excited,” Tran said. “I was just so happy that I would get the opportunity to go to Austrailia.”

Tran and his family left for Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia on Saturday for the competition. He will compete in the Under 19 category of racers.

Tran said he will compete in various events, including the surf ski, paddle board and swim, and various running events.

Tran’s goal for the competition is “just to have fun and do well,” he said.

“I know I’m not going to be the fastest there, but I just want to make the most out of my time there,” Tran said.

Tran also plays violin for the MHS orchestra and is a Boy Scout.

The USLA is a nonprofit, professional association of open-water rescuers and beach lifeguards. For more information, visit www.usla.org.

http://www.malibusurfsidenews.com/mhs-athlete-represent-us-lifeguard-competition-australia

Fort Lauderdale’s Jennifer Noonan is earning her frequent-flier miles and winning lifeguard competitions around the world. The 40-year-old recently won six medals, three of them gold, at the recent United States Lifesaving Association national championships in Daytona Beach.

Noonan, a lifeguard in Fort Lauderdale and Delray Beach, has been dominating events since her first appearance on the national stage in 2003. In the Daytona Beach competition, she took first place in the

40-44 age group’s Surf Ski Race and Board Race events. Preceding the USLA nationals, Noonan went to Hawaii and won the Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships, a 32-mile race that she completed in six hours and 52 minutes. As a member of the USLA national team, she has competed in Japan (three times), South Africa and will be traveling to Australia later this month.

Noonan, who started as a lifeguard in Monmouth County, N.J., before moving to Florida in 2003, maintains a busy competitive schedule.

“I haven’t really had enough time to rest or train with the competitions coming one right after another,” Noonan said. “The experience of racing really goes a long way. I try to mentor and encourage the younger lifeguards.”

Other top local performances at the USLA nationals were:

Mike Huck, Dania Beach (first place/40-44 age group/American Ironman)

Aline Paterson, Deerfield Beach (first place/35-39 age group/Board Race)

Boki Corsovic and Jose Bolivar, Hollywood (first place/open age group/Surf Boat Race)

Mitch McCrady and Chris Hoch, Fort Lauderdale (first place/40-44 age group/Surf Boat Race)

Crystal Haire and Jennifer Noonan, Fort Lauderdale (first place/30-34 age group/Surf Boat Race)

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