When Australia was awarded the 1956 Summer Olympic Games, its country’s volunteer lifesavers held an international, invitational competition featuring California lifeguards and a contingent from the Territory of Hawaii.
Comprised solely of L.A. County and L.A. City lifeguards, the California team organized itself under the banner of the Surf Life Saving Association of America (SLSA).
The inaugural event drew 115,000 spectators and, in what is now known as the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Lifeguard Championships, the event continues to thrive. In 1979, the word “surf” was dropped so the organization could include members of any ocean, bay, lake, river, or open water lifesaving or rescue service.
This years Nautica USLA National Lifeguard Championships will be held in Manhattan Beach where more than 1,000 lifeguards from 100 chapters compete for coveted titles in juniors, men’s, women’s and team competitions Wednesday through Saturday.
Professional Lifeguards ranging in age from 17 to 75 and Junior Lifeguards from ages 9 to 17 will compete in water and beach course events that challenge their lifesaving skills in various 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 and Beach Flags, a shuttle-run-style competition that is called “the fastest event on sand.”
“This is the granddaddy of all lifeguard competitions bringing the best of the best from across the country,” said Ed Zebrowski, Competition Committee Chair for the USLA. “It’s a fun-filled three days of action with competition and sponsor booths at one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.”
Defending champion and host L.A. County Lifeguard Association will seek its continued dominance after capturing a remarkable 26th consecutive title in Cape May, NJ in 2012. The championship marked L.A. County’s 39th title in the 43-year history of the event.
The first National Lifeguard Competition under the USLA banner was held in San Diego in August of 1980, bringing members of the various chapters from around the nation to compete. Manhattan Beach last hosted the USLA National Lifeguard Championships in 2008.
“Being the reigning champs for so long is a thrill,” said Joel Gitelson, Ocean Lifeguard Specialist for the L.A. County Fire Department. “To be able to give other teams the opportunity to come to California and compete on our home turf really is exciting because they get to see the challenges that we face with surf and crowd conditions. We also get to expose our guards to other agencies, because not all our competitors go on the road when we compete at other venues. The east coast teams (from Massachusetts to Florida) challenge us every step of the way. Friendships are made that will last a lifetime. I know I have many that would not have been possible without the National Championship event every year. We are a proud organization.”
Admission is free for the event which kicks off Wednesday with the National Junior lifeguard Championships. The Junior Lifeguard Program has become one of the most popular activities in the Beach Cities.
“The Jr. Lifeguard Program has had a huge impact throughout Southern California,” Gitelson said. “So many go on to become part time and full time lifeguards as a result.”
Prelims for the National Lifeguard Championship will be held Thursday followed by the finals on Friday and Saturday. Competition begins at 8 a.m. each day.
For more information, visit uslanationals.org.
