Competition Focuses on Lifeguard Skills and Lifesaving Techniques
(Long Island, NY) County Executive Steve Bellone congratulates two Smith Point County Park lifeguards from Suffolk County who have been selected to compete in the Sixth International Surf Rescue Challenge (ISRC 2015) September 3–6, 2015 in Maroochydore Beach, Queensland, Australia.
“The skills of our lifeguards are tested on a daily basis,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “They are trained in a variety of beach conditions and life-saving techniques, and must be ready to respond in an instant. Competing in various challenges and events keeps the lifeguards focused in maintaining high lifeguard standards and creating public awareness for beach safety.”
Garrett Thibodeau of Miller Place and Sandi Woodhead of Port Jefferson are two of 16 individuals chosen to compete for the American team.
Sandi, studying to be a registered nurse, has been a lifeguard at Smith Point for the past five seasons. She holds one national title, and was a finalist in the 4 x 100 and 2K race, and took 5th place in the Beach Flags event. This will be her second international competition.
Garrett is currently a teacher’s assistant in the Middle Country School District. He has been lifeguarding at Smith Point for 15 seasons and has been a part of the National Team for 13 years in a row. He holds eight national titles in 4 x 100 and flags and three international titles in 4 x 100 and Rescue Race. This will be his sixth international competition.
Ranked among the top lifeguards in the world, these Smith Point lifeguards are part of the eight-time national championship team and have played a big part in Smith Point’s zero drowning record.
In the United States Lifesaving Association’s annual competition, the Smith Point lifeguards took second place in the “B” Division on August 6-8, 2015 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Division B consists of beach patrols across the nation employing less than 100 lifeguards.) In this event, they competed with teams from Destin, Wrightsville Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Nags Head, Vero Beach and Clearwater.
