Lifeguards Headed to Newport Beach for Lifesaving Championships

Ocean lifeguards from across California will arrive in Newport Beach this week to compete in the 30th annual 2012 California Surf Lifesaving Championships and California Junior Lifeguard Championships.

More than 3,000 professional and junior ocean lifeguards are scheduled to participate in the events on Friday and Saturday. The competitions will take place at the south side of the Newport Beach Pier, between 18th and 20th streets. Friday will be dedicated to the Junior Lifeguards Championships and Saturday will showcase the professional lifeguard competitions. Both events begin at 8 a.m. and run until about 3:30 pm.

Competitors will participate in a variety of events including surf swims, beach runs, rescue paddleboard, surf boat races, as well as Ironman and Ironwoman events in hopes of being recognized as the state's fittest lifeguards.

The CSLSA Surf Life Saving Championships is a preview to the annual United States Lifesaving Association Lifeguard National Championships which will be held this year in New Jersey from August 8-11.