Strong showing for Seal Beach Jr. Lifeguards

Courtesy photo

This year we took 70 competitors to Silver Stand State Beach in San Diego to compete in California Surf Lifesaving Association Regionals.

We had a strong showing in all events, with quite a few medals won. For the C Division, (9-11 years) Ryder Dodd won the Run Swim Run and Distance Swim! Nathaniel Banks placed fourth in the Distance Swim, and first with partner Wyatt Sosenko in the Rescue Relay.

In the B Division we placed 2nd in the Run Relay, Alyssa Perkins was 5th in Flags, and Reef Danner was 6th. Reef Danner and Liam Maples also won the B Rescue Relay. In the A/ AA Division (A is 14-16) (AA is 17-18) Chris Howard won the highly competitive U19 flags, and was 2nd in the sand sprint. Klaus Quinonez placed in the distance run, and AA’s Daniella Spina and Max Bergman, also placed second in the Board Rescue Race.

According to the California Surf Lifesaving Association’s website, “The California Surf Lifesaving Association is a non profit (501-C3 tax exempt) organization chartered to promote beach safety awareness and professional open-water lifesaving standards. The 30 CSLSA Chapters/Agencies share the mission, goals and objectives of the CSLSA. The CSLSA (west coast region) is one of seven regions of the United States Lifesaving Association which in turn is affiliated with the International Lifesaving Association.

“As open-water lifesavers, our MISSION is to promote Beach Safety awareness and Professional Lifeguard standards through public education, training programs, exchange programs, junior lifeguard programs, competition and other means.”

Joe Bailey is chief of the Seal Beach Marine Safety Department.