RBP performances help Sussex County team shine at national lifeguard championships

Aug 24, 2023

Strong performances from the 24 Rehoboth Beach Patrol lifeguards competing at the United States Lifesaving Association’s National Lifeguard Championships in Virginia Beach August 9-12 helped the Sussex County team swim, paddle, and run to a second-place finish.

This is the second time in three years that the Sussex County Lifesaving Association team has earned second place among lifeguard associations and teams from across the nation. Finishing first this year was Monmouth County, New Jersey, with 1,324.5 points. The Sussex County team earned 1,116.75 points, and Los Angeles County finished third with 884.125 points.

2023 Sussex County Lifesaving Association team

“The crew from the Rehoboth Beach Patrol came to Virginia Beach and delivered outstanding performances on the beach and in the ocean to help the SCLA team secure second at Nationals,” says SCLA Team Captain and RBP Chief Derek Shockro, adding that the USLA championship is the World Series of competitive lifeguard racing. “I am proud to lead this dedicated team, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s nationals.”

Events at the championships include surf rescue, board rescue, landline, and other challenges that simulate real-life rescue techniques and skills used in lifeguarding. Sussex County lifeguards from 10 different agencies competed in individual and relay events at the national championships. In addition to Rehoboth Beach, other Delaware lifesaving agencies represented on the Sussex County team were Bethany Beach Patrol, Delaware State Beach Patrol, Dewey Beach Patrol, Fenwick Island Beach Patrol, Middlesex Beach Patrol, North Bethany Beach Patrol, North Shores Beach Patrol, Sea Colony Beach Patrol, and Sussex Shores Beach Patrol.

At the USLA National Junior Lifeguard Championships, held August 9, RBP’s Lainey Shockro was selected for the USA U19 National Team and will compete at the International Surf Rescue Challenge in South Padre Island, Texas, next month.

RBP representatives selected for the National Team (adult) are Sophia Gulotti and Konner Knarr, who also will compete in the international challenge next month in Texas.

The following RBP lifeguards had medal-winning performances at the August USLA Championships; first-place finishes mean that the competitor is the 2023 national champion:

  • First: Open Women's 90m Sprint – Sophia Gulotti
    Sophia Gulotti racing in a USLA event
  • First: 50-54 Men's Ironman – Jason McKay
  • First, third, and fourth: Open Women's Beach Flags – Sophia Gulotti, Lainey Shockro, Meredith Lockwood
  • Second: Open Women's 4x90 Run Relay – Lainey Shockro (RBP), Amy Venables (SCBP), Hailey Moore (DSBP), and Megan Perdue (DSBP)
  • Second: Open Men's Beach Flags – Konner Knarr
  • Second: Open Men's 4x90 Run Relay – Isiah Brittingham, Jodi Johnson, Jorge Lagunes, and Konnor Knarr
  • Second: Open Men's 90m Sprint – Konnor Knarr
  • Second: 50-54 Men's Surf Race – Jason McKay
  • Second: 50-54 Men's Run-Swim-Run – Jason McKay
  • Second: 50-54 Men's Board Race – Jason McKay
  • Second and third: Open Men's Landline Rescue Race – Alexander Moore, Chase Sims, Jake Pangle, and Joshua Walker
  • Second and fifth: 50-54 Men's 2K Beach Run – Jason McKay, Bryan Bowles
  • Third: Open Men's 2K Beach Run – Chase Sims
  • Third: 50-54 Men's Surf Ski Race – Jason McKay
  • Third: 30-34 Men's 2K Beach Run – Zachary Abeles

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