Lifeguards Feel Burn That No Sunscreen Can Block

A heavy fog bank limited the visibility of competitors in the 1998 California Lifeguard Championship on Thursday morning but failed to dampen the gusto of the regional games that nurture skills and friendships.

“It’s like weddings and funerals--you see friends you only see once or twice a year,” said Bob Moore, a board member of the sponsoring California Surf Lifesaving Assn. and a longtime lifeguard in Los Angeles County.

More than 100 competitors, from age 18 to sixtysomething, were out to prove themselves on beach runs, ocean kayaks, iron-man and iron-woman challenges and a host of relay races.

Moore, 49, recalled deciding years ago to leave teaching to become a full-time lifeguard.

“I really enjoyed teaching, but I try to use those skills in training,” he said. “How can you not love the beach? People are happy at the beach. This is the most wonderful profession in the world.”

Many lifeguards are seasonal, attending school or working other jobs that leave summers free.

Alexandra Konok, 24, is studying environmental engineering and may go into law but said her job as a lifeguard at Huntington State Beach is the most important thing she can do right now.

“We’re helping to save lives,” she said. “It’s very rewarding.”

Getting the job was highly competitive, she added. There is about a 30% failure rate at the weeklong training camp in Huntington Beach. “All these things are practice,” Konok said. “Competitors tend to be sharper lifeguards.”

The games continue today with the Junior Lifeguard competition from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., near the municipal pier off Pacific Coast Highway.