This release was provided to swimswam.
Manhattan Beach, California: The Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association will have “home-beach advantage” as they look to extend their 26-year winning streak during the Nautica United States Lifesaving Association National Lifeguard Championships taking place in Manhattan Beach, California, Aug. 7-10.
The L.A. County Lifeguard Association has won 39 times in the 43-year history of the event, which attracts more than 1,000 lifeguards and junior lifeguards from across the country competing for individual and team honors.
The team earned the Large Chapter Team title last year with 630 points. Monmouth County, N.J., took second place with 613.5 points.
“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.”
“We are thrilled to partner with USLA and to be a part of the National Lifeguard Championships,” said Karen Murray, President of Nautica. “This is a pinnacle event for lifeguards where they are competing at the highest level and displaying their true passion for the water.”
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 a myriad of 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.”
The men and women will compete over three days from Thursday, Aug. 8 to Saturday, Aug. 10. 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 will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 7 and will involve four divisions—AA Division for 16 and 17 year-olds, 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 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. There are now more than 100 chapters of USLA, each affiliated with local lifesaving services and beach patrols, and composed of employees of these organizations.
Lifeguard competition in the US owes its heritage to the Surf Lifesaving competitions in Australia. The first national competitions in the US were organized by the Surf Life Saving Association of America. In 1965, the organization became national as the NSLSA and the first competition between coasts was held in 1967. The NSLSA later became the USLA.
The United States Lifesaving Association (www.usla.org) is America’s nonprofit professional association of beach lifeguards and open water rescuers. 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.
Admission is free for the three-day competition. For more information, visit www.uslanationals.org.
About Nautica
Founded in 1983, Nautica® is a leading global lifestyle brand ranging from men’s, women’s and children’s apparel and accessories to a complete home collection. Nautica® products are refined casual classics inspired and energized by the water that are always crisp, clean and distinct. Today Nautica® is available in more than 75 countries with 256 Nautica® branded stores worldwide. In 2003, the Company was acquired by VF Corporation, a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel with more than 30 brands.
This release was provided to swimswam.
This is not accurate. Monmouth County NJ won the title in 2014.
Hi Jim, this is a press release from the USLA, but it appears that you are correct. We will ask them to revise their release.