July 13-14, 2004

Lifeguards Across the State Compete in Boca

Published Thursday, July 15, 2004 - Boca Raton News
by Hannon Deutsch

For years lifeguards have been training to hone their lifesaving skills in the case of an emergency. This past Tuesday and Wednesday lifeguards across the state displayed those skills in the United States Lifesaving Association Southeast Regional Championships at Spanish River Park in Boca Raton.

Last year, Clearwater held the annual regional competition, but Boca Raton played spoiler to its west coast host by taking home first place and with it bragging rights. This week regionals returned to Boca Raton for the first time since 1992 and it was Clearwater who stole the spotlight away from the current two-time defending small teams division national champions. Clearwater, which has won regionals two out of the last three years, finished with 457 points. Palm Beach County took second with 423 points while Boca Raton finished third at 383 points. Delray Beach finished sixth with 106.5 points.

Regionals give the lifeguards one final major competition before nationals, which take place Aug. 5-7 in Daytona Beach, and all 13 events utilize the same format that will be used at nationals. On both days, Mother Nature behaved and her clear blue skies gave way to an unrelenting sun that beat down on the competitors. Temperatures stayed in the low 90s while surf conditions were normal for this time of year yielding a two-foot chop at the most.

Some of the events that the athletes competed in were: International Ironman, American Ironman, Beach Flags, Paddle Rescue, Surf Swim and the Landline. Every single event is meant to test the athletes’ intestinal fortitude and mental toughness. With that said, much responsibility comes with being a lifeguard and it is not something those in the profession take lightly.

“The better shape you are the faster you’re going to get to a victim that’s having problems,” said Darren Penny, who finished third in both the American Ironman in the Open Men division and in the International Ironman Senior Men division for Boca Raton. “For us, these events basically showcase how we do rescues. It really reflects on the personality of someone and how dedicated they are to their position.”

Jo Wagenhals, the Delray Beach team captain, competed in seven events in addition to being the master of ceremony. She attested to the fact lifeguards do much more than the public perceives. “I’ve always said that lifeguards are pretty much professional athletes,” she said.

According to Don May, who is the Chief of Ocean Rescue for Palm Beach County, he couldn’t of asked for a smoother two-day tournament. The result is a testament to the job Boca Raton Ocean Rescue does on a daily basis. “Boca has done a fantastic job with the preparation, the amenities, the course set up and all the extra the help they’ve been able to provide to help put on a really good competition,” said May, who also acted as the head official. “My hats off to Boca Raton Ocean Rescue for the great job they’ve done in the USLA Southeast Regional competition.”

Boca Raton, along with Delray Beach Ocean Rescue, has had a stable of proven winners on the national and international level for some years now. Highly regarded as some of the best lifeguards Florida showcases, Boca Raton and Delray Beach once again proved they are a tough act to follow when it comes to being a complete lifeguard. “They both employ elite athletes, national champions as attested to what you see here today,” added May. “Boca has had national champions in the BLS medical competition as well. They’re just superb top-notch employees and athletes.”