Crime & Safety

Belmont Shore Lifeguards Power Through Competition

Guards from Santa Cruz to San Diego swarm the Seal Beach waves for regional championship.

Long Beach Lifeguards including those from Belmont Shore competed in the California Surf Lifesaving Association's 2011 Regional Lifeguard Championships Saturday July 23, 2011 in Seal Beach.

Some 2,000 junior lifeguards competed in an impressive showing Friday. On Saturday, the pros took over. Almost 200 adult lifeguards dueled in races on foot, in the water and aboard boats.

Kelsea O’Donnell, a Long Beach lifeguard, and Alison Riddle of Hermosa Beach conquered the competition in the women’s surfboat event, earning the duo honorary blue baseball caps that designate first place winners.

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O’Donnell is in her sixth season as a lifeguard and said she was inspired to pursue the career by her father and sister, who are both lifeguards.  

“It’s the best job,” she said. “I get to run around on the beach, save lives and get paid for it.”

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--Riddle was a star at the event, also picking up first place in the women's ironman competition and rescue board race.  of Venice won the men's ironman.

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