USLA Competition sees lifeguards sprint, swim and perform water rescues during event in Rehoboth Beach

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. -The Rehoboth Beach Patrol hosted the United States Lifesaving Association’s (USLA) Mid-Atlantic Regional Lifesaving Championships this week, making it 27 consecutive years that Rehoboth has hosted this event, which showcases the skills necessary to be an ocean lifeguard.

Over 350 lifeguards from New York to Virginia competed beginning at 9:30 am Wednesday for the opportunity to qualify for the national championships in Virginia Beach August 9-12.

Organizers for the event stress that while it’s a day of fun, all the skills showcased are necessary during a water rescue.

“Everything translates when you see these kids run and you see them swim and you see them going through the surf, everything that they do here has a direct relationship with a save,” said Rehoboth Beach Patrol Captain Jeff Giles adding “These soft sand sprints. This is getting off the stand, and running to an emergency situation which we do get a lot of times, so this is the guys being able to get there when they need to get their back in each other up on the stand, cover all situations, it all relates.”

The event saw racing on the beach, water rescues, and more, with the top 3 lifeguards qualifying to go to Virginia Beach. Rehoboth Beach lifeguards tell me it’s an experience they look forward to every year, as they look to make it to the next round and push themselves to the limit.

“This is like one of the best parts of the job is being able to compete and put your training on display and just be able to compete against your friends, and friendly competition isn’t a bad thing, It’s good to go against your friends,” said Lifeguard Sophia Gulotti.

“It takes our swimmers being proficient and quick to get out to the victim, and then it takes a couple of guys to be capable quick enough, and strong enough to throw somebody on their back and bring them up,” said Lifeguard Jake Prangle.