On a balmy morning in July, around 8:45 a.m., members of the Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue unit gathered at the shoreline.
Four members of the unit ran and dove into the waves, paddling out past the breakers. Four teams of two stood at the ready, and when their captain shouted go, they entered the water and paddled out.
A few minutes later, everyone returned with the teams dragging their “distressed swimmers” — the four original swimmers — back to shore.
Thankfully, it was just a drill. Before the members of Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue climb into their lifeguard towers or onto ATVs for the day, they work out and practice the skills they rely on to keep beachgoers safe.
“They train 365 days a year,” explained Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue Captain Shawn
Kelly. “These guys take it seriously.”
Each year, Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue hires new lifeguards for the summer. Those who are interested must try out. The test includes a 500-meter swim and a one-mile run.
“Based on how they perform, we’ll bring them on board,” Kelly said. “Then they have to go through a mandatory two-week training program. If they can make it through the two-week boot camp, they make the final squad, and they’re employed.”
The minimum age for lifeguards is 16. Kelly noted while there are few members of the squad in their 30s and 40s, about 95 percent are in high school or college.
At the beginning of each season, members compete against Wrightsville Beach and Kure Beach’s ocean rescue units.
After seeing the members perform locally, the ocean rescue captains make cuts and form the squad for the regional and national competitions, which include several events that test the lifeguards' skills.
“It’s basically a mini-Olympics,” Kelly explained.
The squad’s dedication and its members’ athleticism recently earned the unit top honors at the South Atlantic Regional Lifeguard Championships, which included lifeguards from about 30 different beaches stretching from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Jacksonville, Florida.
The competition is divided into two divisions: small beaches and large beaches.
Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue earned first place in the small beach division, and Wrightsville Beach brought home first place in the large beaches division.
Parker Kitts, a Carolina Beach native and member of Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue, participated in the competition for the first time.
“It was pretty crazy being out there,” Kitts said. “I’ve played all different kinds of sports my whole life, but I’ve never really seen that kind of athleticism in that concentrated of an area.”
While it is nice for the team to be recognized, Kelly said the members deserve kudos for what they do every day.
“First place or not, I’m always proud of these guys,” he said. “They literally put in the work, day in and day out.”
He added that in their line of work, there’s more on the line than trophies and bragging rights.
“At the end of the day, it’s not about the competition,” Kelly said. “They’re out here doing lifesaving, which is their job.”
Renee Spencer is the community engagement editor at the StarNews. Reach her at rspencer@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Daily rescue drills power Carolina Beach team's regional victory
