The Santa Barbara Lifeguard Association placed sixth as a team in the 2025 California Surf Lifesaving Junior Lifeguard and Lifeguard Championships at Dockweiler Beach last weekend.
Despite a relatively small team size, Santa Barbara made its impact felt amongst over 700 competitors from 30 chapters from Santa Cruz to Imperial Beach.
“Our community should take pride in these competitors, not just for the medals, but for what their efforts represent: discipline, ocean safety, sportsmanship, and the deep legacy of professional lifesaving along the California coast,” said Tony Sholl, city of Santa Barbara aquatics supervisor.
The events mirrored the real demands of professional lifeguarding, as competitors swam in the ocean, sprinted on the sand, executed mock rescues, paddled boards and skis and competed in relay races.
Roman Higgins dominated his events as the seventh overall finisher for Open Men, thanks in part to a first-place showing in the Surfski and a second-place mark in the Taplin Relay.
Wyatt Warkentin was one of Santa Barbara’s first-place finishers, capturing the title in the JG B’s Ironguard and surf swim events.
Skyler Carroll had a strong all-around performance, placing second in the JG A’s Ironguard and within the top five in multiple water events. Brixton Schmeiss also came in third in the JG B’s Ironguard, Board Race and Rescue Race.
The duo of Dino Ise and Charlie Black each placed in multiple events, including first place in the Landline Rescue. Garrett Haller also picked up a podium finish in the Beach Flags event and contributed to several team events.
Brittney Gamble placed 11th overall in the Open Women division after competing in eight different events, and Hazel Heckes took third place in the U19 Women’s Distance Run.
Several Santa Barbara Lifeguard Association athletes will continue their summer at the USLA National Lifesaving Championships in Huntington Beach, beginning on Aug. 6.