Competing to save lives - National Pool and Waterpark Lifeguard Championship

Parks & Recreation, Feb, 1997 by Jim Wheeler

In the Summer of 1993, the National Pool and Waterpark Lifeguard Training Program developed a new lifeguard competition specifically designed for the pool and waterpark industry. The program focused on relevant skills and techniques; no non-lifeguarding (tug-o-war, swim relays) events were going to be part of this competition. The competition started in one region, was held in four regions in 1994 and has taken place in seven regions throughout the country for the past two summers.

This year, Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc. of Houston, Texas sponsored the first National Pool and Waterpark Lifeguard Championship at White Water Resort in Branson, Missouri. The competition, an extension of the training program, was designed to improve lifeguard skills, motivate staff and develop bonds of friendship among lifeguard agencies. This past August, 140 of the best lifeguards in the nation from seven regions of the country came together to see who would become the first ever National Pool and Waterpark Lifeguard Champions.

Towards a Notional Championship

Lifeguard competitions are nothing new; these competitions have been occurring for as long as the well-seasoned aquatic professional can remember. The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) has held regional and national championships for years. The only catch has been that one must work for an "open water" agency to join the USLA and to compete. It was the goal of the National Pool and Waterpark Lifeguard Competition Program to provide quality regional events that would eventually lead to national championship event, and 1996 set the stage for new history in the aquatic industry.

Without the support of a few dedicated agencies during the summer of 1994 the event would not be where it is today. The Columbia (MD) Association, the City of Cape Coral (FL), the City of Austin (171) and Wild Water Adventures (CA) were the first regional championship pilot sites and contributed greatly to the success of the program. During the summer of 1995 the regional competition program was expanded to seven regions. Host sites for that year included:

* Northwest -- Enchanted Parks-Wild Waves, Seattle (WA)

* Western -- Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Los Angeles (CA)

* Southwest -- City of New Braunfels

* Midwest -- White Water Branson (MO)

* Great Lakes--Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville (KY)

* Northeast--Columbia Association (MD), and

* Southern--White Water, Atlanta (GA)

These programs saw more than 600 lifeguards compete for regional titles and local bragging rights.

The success of the program in 1995 paved the way for big plans that were to occur in 1996. Regional competitions had grow to a point where there had to be a limit (12) placed on the number of competitors from each agency. The top three scoring men and women from each team would combine their points with team event points to determine regional champions. A winning regional team, and male and female individual event winners from each regional competition qualified for the National Championship, on August 9, 1996 at White Water Waterpark in Branson, Missouri. One hundred and forty lifeguards representing over 30 agencies converged for this big event.

Regional competition was fierce and, with a trip to a national championship on the line, the following play-by-play describes the events that occurred.

At Splash Town Waterpark in Houston (TX) seven teams competed for the Southwest Championship. In a very close contest, the home team beat out second place Six Flags Fiesta Texas by a narrow margin. The unofficial team from the City of New Braunfels, "Hill Country Lifeguards" came in third. After the competition, lifeguards were treated to a BBQ lunch and an afternoon at Splash Town.

The second annual Midwest Championship saw another close battle for the title. The City of St. Charles (MO) fought hard but was beat out by the host team from White Water by a mere point. The City of Overland Park (KS) was the third place team. Everyone had a great time, and the close final outcome will only feed the competitive fire in this region for years to come.

It was a hot day in Florida for the third annual Southern Regional Championship. Seven teams from the south converged on Florida State University for a full day of competition. The host team beat out the City of Tallahassee Lifeguards by just three points for the title. The third place team from the City of Gainesville proved to be tough competitors and fought hard for their finish. Afterward a BBQ lunch was provided at the Seminole Reservation waterfront camp with sand volleyball and informal lake synchronized swimming.

Unique Twist

Magic Waters Waterpark in Rockford (IL) was the host to the second annual Great Lakes Regional Championship. Eight teams from the US and from Paramount's Wonderland in Canada gave this competition a truly unique twist. The self named "Dream Team" from host Magic Waters narrowly beat out a very good team from Holiday World in Santa Claus (IN). This was another case where a second place team lost by only one point. The competition, which started in the evening and continued into the next day, was broken up on the first evening by a social event at a sports club. Host Magic Waters did a great job of entertaining their guests.