Hundreds of lifeguards filled the beach near Ocean Drive Resort in North Myrtle Beach on Thursday, day two of the South Atlantic Regional Lifeguard Championships.
On the line are spots in the upcoming national championships, where competitors from both coasts put their skills to the test in dozens of events that push their athletic abilities.
Rick Betros, a lifeguard representing Horry County, said the competition allows he and his teammates a chance to break away from the day-to-day work on the Grand Strand beaches, and have some fun.
"It's a lot of team spirit," Betros said. "We're all competitive together. Teamwork plays a big part, and in the individual events, it comes down to who has trained the best."
Betros said he and his teammates worked three days a week for two hours each day--after a full lifeguarding shift--to get ready for the competition.
"A lot of the (events) do involve skills you use on the job," he said. "It definitely helps you if an emergency comes up."
Meanwhile, spectators on the beach were mesmerized by the flurry of activity.
"It's comforting to know we have lifeguards on our beaches that have the kind of skill and strength that would allow them to handle any kind of adverse situation," said Mary Garren, who has come to North Myrtle Beach for close to fifty years, but said she has never seen anything like the lifeguard competition.
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