after the break....

it has been quite a while since my last post, for that I apologize. But, to give the 90 second (or so) recap since the last post here we go.... (think voice over from the 'micro-machines' guy)

Central Section won the Taplin Bell in decisive fashion, but, South bay went 2nd and 3rd with a strong presence from the younger Guards - Big Props to all who came out to race, watch and support...Sean Lemm won the pier-to-pier swim, separating himself from his closest competitors in the final 3oo-meters...I finished out in solid 4th... 4 days later came USLA Nationals in Ft Lauderdale, Florida...

Huge congrats to Monmouth County, NJ for clinching the OPEN Point Score Title - That's right, LACOLA came in second in the open - BUT, thanks to our Age Groupers, LACOLA still won the OVERALL Championship Title....personal highlights, after 19 races, multiple gallons of fluid, almost the same amount of WATERMANS sunscreen, I was happy to climb up to an overall 6th open points scorer, with an epic debut in the American Ironman finishing 5th... Congrats to Dave Cartlidge and JVD for their AMAZING 2nd place finish in the Open Surf Boat, and props to all of our Young and oldER Guards for coming out to race, hangout, and have an amazing trip to sweltering Ft Lauderdale, FL...

Then came a week of severe illness brought on by "Overtraining" - yes racing TOO much can happen....

Then JAPAN!!!! ooooooooooooh Japan.....

(what?! I can't give it all away in one post can I?!)

International Surf Festival

Will this be a Three-peat Year?! After claiming the Bud Stevenson Intercrew Championship Trophy 2 years running, the Lifeguards of Venice Beach have their sights set on making it 3-in-a-row this Friday night at Manhattan Beach Pier.

But, they are not alone in their search for victory. The contingent from Manhattan will look to break through to the top after knocking on the door the last year. However, no team is really out of the running when it comes to this event. The Manhattan Beach Pier always lends itself to a little bit of surf on nights when lifeguards race. Every Team is only a Wave Away from victory - or defeat.

Friday nights' progresion of events will provide a ltany of entertainment for the evening. Starting out with a rescue demonstration by members and assets from our L.A. County Fire Dept. Lifeguards and the US Coast Guard--Sector Los Angeles.

Whoever said swimmers cannot run, never watched the 6-man run relay. Can the Guards of Dockweiler claim another another as the fastest on sand. The sand will fly from the heels of these, and other Guards, in the pursuit of speed.

It was probably the same guy who thought that swimming was NOT a contact sport. Bodies will mix and collide in the 4-person shallow water sprint relay...1 catch - the total age of the 4 members of each team must add up to 125 years.

No age minimums or limits - just pure, simple, SPEED will show itself during the 6-man Board Relay. The simple out-&-back format of this race is always a crowd pleaser, as spectators can line up along the pier for an over-the-top view.


Will surf dictate the pace? The mix of fiberglass, surf, bodies, and speed is sure to provide an elixir of sheer athletic satisfaction. The perfect appetizer for a weekend full of excitement!