"YOUR LOS ANGELES County Lifeguard Association 2013 National Team!"

Just in courtesy of Media Guru, Adam Sandler AND Photographer/LACo Lifeguard Wife and Mom, Peggy O'Donnell...

Photo by & Copyright Peggy O'Donnell 2013.  All Rights Reserved. Used here with permission.

Photo Credit: Adam Sandler

Per Adam:

Here it is: The Piece de resistance, the coup de grace, the icing on the cake, the cherry on the top of the sundae to wrap up County Recurrent's recap of the 2013 USLA National Lifeguard Championships.

As they say at Staples Center "YOUR LOS ANGELES County Lifeguard Association 2013 National Team!"

The pic shows the greats and near-greats; the newcomers and the stalwarts. The future is so bright, they gotta wear shades.

(Plus the embroidery that appears on the fleece that many are wearing).

Photo credit: @Peggy O'Donnell; used with permission. Fleece photo: @Adam Sandler :)

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Wow!  What a great photo!  Many Thanks to Adam for sharing his remarks and many thanks to Peggy O'Donnell for the great shot !

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Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

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"2013 USLA Nationals Recap - The Final Results", by Adam Sandler

Just in from USLA Official/Media Guru/Beach Lifeguard, Adam Sandler:

"LA County Lifeguard Assn. clearly came to score a home turf win in the USLA National Lifeguard Championships this past weekend, and win big it did. LACoLA scored a whopping 1644 points compared to the California State Lifeguard Assn. which scored 764.625 points. The win gives LACoLA its 27th consecutive championship, and the 40th win in the event’s 44-year history.

Although Monmouth County, NJ landed third with 659.875 points, next year when the Nationals are in Virginia Beach, VA, it will likely bring a battalion of competitors to ensure a First Place victory. (Monmouth brought 25 racers this year, compared to LACoLA’s 56).

While perennial winners like Brian Murphy, nabbed the 2013 Men’s points leader spot at 78.625, a number of new stars emerged. LACoLA’s Coral Kemp and Jeff Lombardo, who were previously mostly blips on the competitive radar, made their presence well known this year.

Brian Murphy

Coral Kemp, at left, foreground

Jeff Lombardo

Kemp earned 99.375 points making her the 2013 top female points scorer, behind familiar names like LACoLA’s Alison Riddle and Kelsey O’Donnell, who scored 84.75 and 80.75 points, respectively. LACoLA women held the top 3 spots and 6 of the Top-10 points earners. It should be noted that the 2012 top female points grabber Taylor Spivey was out of town and did not compete.

Kelsey O'Donnell

Alison Riddle, helmet on, and ready to rumble...

Lombardo won the Men’s Open American Ironman and by doing so ended a seemingly unbreakable reign by Monmouth County’s Matt Nunnally, who came in second in the grueling event. Additionally, Lombardo won the 30-34 Age Group American Ironman in the 2011 Nationals, so perhaps the writing was on the wall for the Open victory this year. Lombardo competed in 8 events (excluding heats) and nailed two firsts and thirds, and four, second place finishes in age group events.

The conversation must have been lively at the Sunday dinner table at the Solberg’s house with Mel and Jenna trading war stories about their respective races at Nationals. Jenna racked up 34 points in 5 open events, and Mel had 10 points over his 7 open and age group (45-49) events (excluding heats). The duo can discuss ski and board paddling techniques as they both competed in their respective Open American Ironman/Ironwoman and Board events. One has to wonder: Was it chicken or the egg? Does Jenna give Dad paddling tips, or the other way around? Who uses the more expensive ski?

Mel Solberg

Jenna Solberg

Just as she did at Regionals, Chris Linkletter again showed considerable competitive mettle with her 3 firsts and 2 seconds and thirds over 8 events (excluding heats) in a mix of Open and Age Group (45-49) races, including both the Open AND Age Group Ironwoman and Age Group American Ironwoman, a feat that would send most folks to the ER!

Chris Linkletter

And lest we forget to respect our Elders, or in this case our Eldin (Onsgard, that is) who continues to show everyone what lies ahead when you stay in the game. His 37 points came by way of 9 events which included 6 Age Group (60-64) firsts, 2 seconds and 1 third, although Jerry Lozano almost caught up to him in the 2K run, and he did beat Eldin in the Surf race. And Jerry appeared to have easily bested Eldin in the run-swim-run during the swim, but on the hard pack Eldin -- with the checkered flags in sight -- found some gas in the tank and closed the gap to pass Jerry almost at the finish line.

Jerry Lozano, at the final flag...

Eldin Onsgard, reeling in Lozano on the Run-Swim-Run!  Hurry up, Jerry!...

In between taking hundreds of pictures of the competition, Joel Gitelson nabbed 6 firsts in 6 Age Group events (60-64) and 30 points, continuing his domination. Joel, Jerry and Eldin all cross the finish line with a grin, something the event needs a lot more of from the younger guys. As Bob Burnside says “it’s fun competing; especially with your friends.”

Joel Gitelson "shaka"!

Chief Bob Burnside (Ret.)

Rockstar Bob earned 10.5 points, including a first in the 70+ Ironman: a row, a paddle and a swim. Remarkable!

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(Story by & Copyright Adam Sandler 2013. Used here with permission.)

2013 USLA Nationals Official, Adam Sandler

*** Many Thanks to Adam for taking the time to prepare a recap of the Nationals for us all to read and enjoy! ***

(All photos by & Copyright Will Maguire 2013.  Used here with permission.)

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Until next time....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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The Official "Officials' Photo": 2013 USLA National Lifeguard Championships

Photo by & Copyright Joel Gitelson 2013. Used here with permission.

Just in courtesy of 2013 USLA Lifeguard Nationals Official, Adam Sandler:

And here are the folks who helped make it happen: The Officials. Notables are Course 1 starter Bill Richardson in the blue hat above the Nautica "T", with Marshall-extraordinare Bob Moore to his left; Course 1 honcho Ed Zebrowski III in the gray visor midway up the ramp; Course 2 Boss and Starter Matt Gallagher in the red hat on the ramp, and USLA Competition Chair Ed Zebrowski holding the green fin on the railing of the ramp behind the rescue can holder. And the Chief Seagull on the flag pole.

Well done, one and all!

p.s.  Editor's note: And that's Adam Sandler at far left on the deck in the white cap with all that white WATERMANS® SPF 50 lotion all over his face!... and as more particularly identifiable in the photo immediately below, as well six (6) additional photos of Adam with his airport landing arm/hands gesture skills which he employed to direct competitors to race course flags in the American Ironman... Speaking of Well Done!?!!!..

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and as long as we are on the topic of "Officials' Photos"... here is a complete library of shots that we took over the course of the three (3) days that featured these hard working, volunteer officials who basically kicked ass and, in some cases, literally "took names and tongue depressors"!  And as shared by Adam Sandler, it was veteran LACo OL-Competitor, Eldin Onsgard, who remarked (about the Officials):   
"We couldn't have done it without you guys!  You made the real sacrifice.  The rest of us just jumped in races."

and my favorite...   :-)

(more photos to be added shortly...)

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(All photos by & Copyright Will Maguire 2013, unless otherwise indicated.)

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 Until next time.....



"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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Lozano • Atkins: In The Dory At Nationals, by Adam Sandler

L2R: Jerry Lozano and Kenny Atkins

"Attached pic is of Captain Kenny Atkins and Jerry Lozano surveying the race course conditions prior to the Age Group surf boat race finals. The duo got off to a rough start which allowed the pack of other surfboats to get way ahead in the course and finish while they were still rounding the first buoy. Not to be deterred, the duo dug in and completed the course, albeit a bit later than they had hoped -- and behind everyone else. "Maybe they stopped to catch some fish?" remarked Eldin Onsgard in good natured snark. Eldin, who along with Randy Steigley, was in the same race and on the sand well ahead of Atkins/Lozano. But in an example of sportsmanship that maybe some of the younger guns could take to heart, Lozano - smiling big after crossing the finish line - was told of Eldin's remark and quickly quipped "we did it on porpoise."

Terrific spirit, gents!

Adam

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*** Many Thanks to Adam Sandler for sharing another great story from this year's Nationals in Manhattan Beach, Calif.  ***

(Photo and story by & Copyright Adam Sandler 2013.  Used here with permission.)

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Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

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Day #3, The 2013 USLA National Lifeguard Championships: The Photos, etc.

The Final Day of Competition (aka, Day #3) of the 2013 USLA National Lifeguard Championships... for the adult lifeguard competitors.  Here are the photos and videos, including from the after-party later that nite featuring a performance by the lifeguard rock 'n roll band, "Run-Swim-Run".

*** Video Alert ***

We begin with a short video showing the venue at Course #1 on the immediate south side of the Manhattan Beach Pier where the rescue relay is about to start...

Day #3, A.M. Venue Overview: The Video

    http://youtu.be/2vWSHeEfF4Y

 ... and say, isn't that Joel Gitelson waving to us up on the announcer's stand with Rob McGowan (at left) and Tom Gill (at right)?...

and the rescue relay is underway...

Team LACo chilling on the So. Pier tower...

Texas Lifeguards promotional shot below...

Look at that smile on Tom Seth!  Is he having fun or what?!...

Lining up for the Run-Swim-Run which will have multiple heats!...

First in the water in this heat of the Men's Open "Run-Swim-Run", LACo OL, Tyler Contarsy!...

And another heat of the men's open run-swim-run...

And then its the ladies' turn, in heats, of the open run-swim-run...

Veteran OL, Diane Graner-Gallas, looking fit, stunning and graceful during the final run portion of this heat...

and another heat of the women's open run-swim-run...

Below, this veteran LACo Lifeguard/Competitor, leading the age group on the first run segment of the run-swim-run final is strong and fast and should be sponsored by Zinka!...

Hawaii OL, Mark Cunningham, looking fit and strong on the last leg of the run-swim-run...

And no surprise here, Veteran LACo Capt., Chris Linkletter, leads handily in the final leg of the women's age group run-swim-run final!

And it's on to the heats of the men's open surfski race...

And the Final of the Men's Open American Ironman is about to begin...

and back on Course No. 01, its the Final of the Women's Open Run-Swim-Run!...

And then it's time for the Men's Open Final of the Run-Swim-Run!...

*** Video Alert ! ***

Men's Open Run-Swim-Run Final, The Start: The Video

"Gentlemen, You are in the hands of the Starter!"...

    http://youtu.be/_RPF1lcywUw

LACo Lifeguard Chief (Ret.), Howard Lee, on the berm in his LACo wide brimmed hat and navy blue sweatshirt...

Kat's toe... ouch!...

Race Official, Adam Sandler, below, with his face layered with a heavy coat of Waterman® 50 spf !...

And then the competitions were all over...

Followed by the After Party!...

After Party Host/LACo OL, Kevin Barry, at left below, with Mark Cunningham who points out what we all know, "That Kevin Barry is the man!"

USLA Official glad to be dry, dressed and with a beer in hand!  This dude was in the water holding the Finish Flags for the surfski races and getting annihilated by waves, which he absolutely relished and enjoyed!

The inimitable Mark Cunningham with some adoring fans.  Gotta love his sense of timing and sense of humor for this shot!

Wow!  Randy Steigely at right below asked us to take this photo and we're sure glad he did!  LACo OL, Tandis Morgan, lighting up the nite !

LACo OL, Coral Kemp, wins the award for First Place Overall Individual Point Scorer, women's open division.  Congratulations, Coral!

*** Video Alert ! ***

•  Video #1:  2013 USLA Nationals Awards Party

    http://youtu.be/g0cZHN_Eqlo


•  Video #2: USLA Nationals After-Party

    http://youtu.be/aLYEb69OLGE

The Howard Lee Perpetual Trophy for the First Place Open Team Winner...

"California State" wins the 2nd Place Team Award!  Well done, CA STATE!

Chief Howard Lee (Ret.) next to the Trophy named in his honor

 And then the lifeguard band, Run-Swim-Run, took the stage!...

Coral Kemp, lead singer...

 *** Video Alert ! ***

"Run-Swim-Run": The Band

    http://youtu.be/qHzvtVvcO00

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That's All Folks!...

And so we leave you with the following shot that wraps up the 2013 USLA National Championships. 

At the After Party, we caught up with the Texas Lifeguard we met on the morning of Day #1, checking in and registering, who smiled for the camera and said hello with a 'shaka' in hand.  Below, he sports the shaka in his right hand and in the left, the "third coast" hand gesture signifying Texas as "The Third Coast!"  Well done!  This dude certaintly deserves a USLA Sportsmanship Award for his positive and enthusiastic attitude!... which pretty much sums up the experience of the past several days.

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(All photos & videos by & Copyright Will Maguire 2013.  All Rights Reserved.  Used here with permission.)

Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

*** PLEASE forward to other Recurrents, past and present, so that we can add them to our mailing list. ***

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