The 31st Annual 2013 California Surf Lifesaving Championships Set for July 26-27 in Newport Beach

The top professional and junior lifeguards in the state will compete in the 2013 California Surf Life Saving Assn. Southwest Regional Lifeguard Championships on Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27. The two-day event will be held on the south side of the Newport Beach Pier between 18th and 20th Streets, adjacent to the Newport Beach Lifeguard Headquarters located at 70 Newport Pier. The competition returns to Newport Beach after a highly successful 2012 event.

The California Junior Lifeguard Regional Championship for all CSLSA affiliated Junior Lifeguard programs will be held on Friday, July 26, while the events for California Lifeguards and Lifeguard alumni will be held on Saturday, July 27. On both days, competition begins at 8 a.m.


"Lifeguards from up and down the state will showcase their athleticism and professionalism during the many events held each day," said Jay Butki, Competition Chairman of the CSLSA. "These events emphasize the fitness and endurance required by lifeguards daily to make rescues, while also utilizing their lifesaving training and experience."

From surf swims to beach runs, paddleboard and surf boat races, as well as the grueling multi-discipline Ironman and Ironwoman events, lifeguards from nearly 30 agencies such as Los Angeles County, California State Parks, Huntington Beach, San Diego, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Long Beach and Santa Cruz, among others, will vie for bragging rights to be crowned California's best lifeguards.

"This is great event for us to showcase the world-class destination of Newport Beach," said Rob Williams, Chief Lifeguard of Newport Beach Marine Operations. "Because it was so successful last year, we are delighted to be hosting it again this year."

The California Regional Championships are open to all California Lifeguards and Junior Lifeguards who are members of the USLA (www.USLA.org). Non-members may contact their Lifeguard Agency Coordinator or JG program for USLA membership.

A complete list of events:

California Junior Lifeguard Regional Championship - Friday, July 26
Competition events for age divisions: C- 9-11 years old; B- 12-13 years old;
A-14-15 years old; AA-16-17 years old include: Five JG Individual Events:
Beach Run, Surf Race, Run- Swim-Run, Paddleboard Race, Beach Flags
And four JG Team Events: Rescue Relay, Swim Relay, Run Relay, Paddleboard Relay

California Surf Lifesaving Championship - Saturday July 27
Lifeguard Individual Events:
2 Km Beach Run- Open Men, Open Women, Masters Age Groups
Surf Swim Race- Open Men, Open Women, Masters Age Groups
Paddleboard Race- Open Men, Open Women, Masters Age Groups
Ironman- Open Men, Masters Age Groups
Ironwoman- Open Women, Masters Age Groups
Surfski Race- Open Men, Open Women, Masters Age Groups
Run-Swim-Run- Open Men, Open Women, Masters Age Groups
American Ironman- Open Men, Men Masters Age Groups
American Ironwoman- Open Women, Women Masters Age Groups
Beach Flags- Open Men, Open Women, Masters Age Groups

Six Lifeguard Team Events:
Surfboat Race- 2 Rowers, Open Men, Open Women, Masters Age Groups
Landline Rescue race- 4 Persons, Open only
Rescue Race- 4 Persons, Open Men, Open Women
Board Rescue- 2 Persons, Open Men, Open Women
Taplin Relay- 4 Persons, Open Men, 4 Open Women
Board Relay - 3 persons, Open Men, Open Women