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Lifeguards Battle in Annual Red Cross Competition to Emphasize
Importance of Water Safety
BOCA RATON, Fla. (July 23, 2009) — A record number of certified lifeguards from Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and St. Lucie counties gathered at Meadows Park Pool in Boca Raton on Sunday, July 19th to demonstrate their skills and acute levels of rescue proficiency in the Red Cross’ Fourth Annual Lifeguard Competition. To begin the splash-filled day of healthy competition, individual lifeguards faced-off for the esteemed title of Ironguard. After performing a timed mock-rescue of a drowning victim, including the administration of CPR, Mike Heath, a member of Boca Raton’s lifeguard team, was named Ironguard 2009. Richard Garza, of Wellington, and Braden Reiber, with The Breakers Hotel & Resort in Palm Beach, finished in second and third place, respectively.
With Ironguard 2009 declared, seven teams of five lifeguards each participated in a group competition to see which area pool packs the most splash. The lifeguards showcased their strength and expertise with a crowd cheering them on as a group of judges rated their levels of performance. The teams were tested in a series of eight events including a passive drowning submerged victim in deep water event, an active multiple victim rescue in deep water event, spinal injury and first aid scenarios, and a deep water tug-o-war. The City of Boca Raton lifeguard team; made up by CJ Burke, Mike Heath, Brad Hughes, Eddie Linares and Taylor Thornbury; captured the first-place title and the annual competition’s traveling trophy. The Breakers team finished in second place and teams from the DeVos-Blum Family YMCA of Boynton Beach and the Village of Wellington tied for third. Teams representing Michael-Ann Russel JCC, St. Lucie County and Coconut Cover Water Park also participated in the competition.
Created as an awareness event in 2006, the Red Cross’ Annual Lifeguard Competition highlights the level of proficiency and physical stamina demanded of a professional rescuer. Last year, aquatic programs offered by the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter reached 100,611 people. Linda Olson, who organized the competition and serves as Director of Safety Education for the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, said “With Palm Beach County’s 45-mile stretch of Atlantic shoreline and summer vacation in full swing, it’s imperative that people take necessary training to learn how to swim and how to react in the event of a water-related emergency.” Olson continued, “It’s most important to always swim in an area supervised by a certified lifeguard.” The Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter offers a complete line of courses, providing training for staying safe in, on and around the water. Over 25 pools in Palm Beach County teach Red Cross Aquatic Programs, including Lifeguard Training and Water Safety Instructor courses.
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