300 Top Lifeguards Set to Face Off at Rehoboth Beach Championships

Next month, the sand and surf at Rehoboth Beach will buzz with action. Elite guards from coastal towns between New York and Virginia will test their skills at the 2025 USLA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships. The event starts at 8 a.m. on July 9 on Baltimore Avenue.

"We're excited to have the USLA Mid-Atlantics back on Rehoboth Beach," said Captain Jeff Giles, according to Delaware Live. "We welcome everyone to come watch and support our guards."

Winners move on to compete at the national stage in California this August. The contests push guards through tough challenges that copy real water rescues. Short sprints mix with long swims. Quick decisions matter just as much as raw strength.

Guards must sprint 90 meters on sand, run a grueling 2K, and work as teams in the 4x90 relay. In the water, they'll swim through waves, race on boards, and show off their rescue skills by pulling swimmers to safety.

The action doesn't stop there. Watch more contests on July 24 when the Rehoboth Beach Patrol holds its 48th Lifeguard Olympics at 4 p.m. Young guards from Sussex County will match up against Ocean City's best four days later.

Since 1921, the Rehoboth Beach Patrol has kept swimmers safe. Their ranks now count 700 past members. Last year brought glory when Sussex County's teams grabbed the top spot at nationals.

The public can catch all three events from the beach at no cost. Baltimore Avenue's new patrol base will serve as the command center for the competitions.