2 North Carolina island teams win elite coastal lifeguard regionals

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Two North Carolina beach lifeguard teams defeated others — including those from Florida — in an elite regional competition testing water rescue efforts late last week.

The South Atlantic region of the U.S. Lifesaving Association held a two-day competition Thursday and Friday at the North Carolina coast at Nags Head.

The region includes Florida and South Carolina. The regional competition is split into two divisions — teams with more than 50 lifeguards and teams with fewer than 50. The lifeguard competitions test key areas used during rescues such as swimming, running, paddleboard relay, board rescue racing, and landline rescue racing.

Teams from North Carolina islands near Wilmington won both divisions — holding off Jacksonville, Florida and Virginia Beach teams — along with three from South Carolina.

Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue won the large-team regionals for the fifth straight year. The competition was fierce with less than 12 points separating Wrightsville (with 400 points) from second-place Nags Head, which scored 388.50.

“We are very proud of our team and we wish them luck as they continue their training in preparation of the USLA National Lifeguard Championships in Huntington Beach, California next month,” Wrightsville Beach team officials said.

In the smaller division competition, Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue defeated five other teams — with a major points lead over the second-place Duck, North Carolina team.

“The team demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork, placing in multiple events throughout the regional competition,” Carolina Beach town officials said.

Officials also noted the lifeguards who remained to watch over Carolina Beach while others were competing at Nags Head.

Other competitors in the under-50 lifeguards division included Jacksonville, Florida and Kill Devil Hills.

Any team can move on to the national competitions, but “the SALA Regional Lifeguard Championships are a good measuring stick to know if it is worth going to compete in nationals”, said Mike Wagner, president of the United States Lifesaving Association South Atlantic region.