HB Surf Lifesaving Assn. takes 5th

Huntington Beach Surf Lifesaving Assn. finished fifth in the Chapter A division competition and seventh, overall, Saturday at the 31st annual California Surf Life Saving Championships at the Newport Beach Pier.

Nearly 2,000 competitors ranging in age from 8 to 17 from nearly 30 agencies in Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, San Diego, Long Beach, L.A. County, California State Parks, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz competed at the two-day event. The competition included ocean swims, beach runs and rescue paddleboard races.

Competition was held in Chapter A (100-plus members) and Chapter B (under 100 members) divisions.

The Junior Lifeguard Championships were Friday.

Huntington Beach placed fifth in the A division, which was won by California Lifeguard Assn., which also won the overall title for the event which also included a B division.

Huntington Beach lifeguards also turned in top finishes individually. Melissa Jester took first place in the Open Women Beach Flags competition and Anthony Limon had three top 10 placements in Open Men events.

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Men

Surf Race, Open Men: Anthony Limon, 10th.; Run Swim Run, Open Men: Anthony Limon, sixth.; Rescue Race, Open Men: Anthony Limon, tie-10th.

Women

Surf Race, Open Women: Jennifer Schulman, 15h.; Run Swim Run, Open Women: Jennifer Schulman, 12th.; Rescue Race Open Women: Melissa Jester, Jessica Becker, Karin Jester, Jennifer Schulman, tie-seventh.; Board Race, Open Women: Melissa Jester, 16th.; Beach Flags, Open Women: Melissa Jester, first; Karin Jester, 10th.; Board Rescue Race, Open Women: Melissa Jester, Karin Jester, tie-ninth.

— Mike Sciacca