World's Greatest Lifeguard Contest

Festival Location: Oahu, HI, USA

Festival State: Hawaiian Festivals

Festival Type: Water Sports Events

By: © Nelson Taylor 2009

Lifeguarding for a living is nothing like Baywatch, and beaches for these professional aqua enthusiasts aren't about buff bods, sun-blonde babes and tasty tans. But for two days every June, lifeguards from around the world shuck their straight faces and strut their surf skills like Hollywood heroes. At the Hawaiian International Ocean Challenge they compete for the dubious title "Best Lifeguards in the World."

Teams from eleven countries including Great Britain, Japan, Canada and various teams from the U.S. vi for the crown in events like the 3.4 mile Paddleboard Race, the Outrigger Canoe Race and the Surf Rescue Swim, where participants are timed towing a "drowner" 100 yards to shore.

Hayden Kenny, the team leader for Australia, says the 4.3 mile Surfski (or ocean kayak) Race around Rabbit Island proves to be the toughest test for his team. His happy-drunk Aussie accent full-blown, Kenny says, "It's that awkward kind, a bit short for endurance and too long to be called a sprint." Champs of the Challenge for the past eight years, Kenny and the rest of his crew must be doing something right. But their secret is not much of a secret at all. "It all boils down to hard work," he says. "We train to be all-round lifeguards. Lots of swimming and paddling rescue boards and ocean kayaking. It's not good enough just to be a killer swimmer. You have to cross train." When asked about his competitors, a tinge of worry crops up in Kenny's voice. "New Zealand is looking really good, and I've seen a marked improvement in Hawaii and California."

Although the total purse is $20,500, the winning team collects only $6,000. No one ever said being a lifeguard was a Fortune 500 gig.