Water World hosted 29 teams of 312 lifeguards from across the state who proved their life-saving skills as they competed in the 34th Annual CPRA Lifeguard Games on July 7.
The mission: bring together lifeguards across the state to demonstrate their skills, teamwork, and unique abilities while engaging in a fun and competitive day of events. At stake: bragging rights and the individual title of “Colorado’s Fastest” lifeguard. Hundreds of Colorado lifeguards showed off their life-saving skills under the morning sun as they competed in different events throughout the morning, both individually and with their home teams.
“The purpose of the Lifeguard Games is two fold,” explains Janice Weed, the Aquatic Supervisor for the Town of Castle Rock and Aquatic Chair for the Aquatic Section of the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA). “One, it’s a big motivational event for the lifeguards in the middle of the summer. And two, it’s also a big fundraiser for our Aquatic Section which is the professional development section for the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association. This event showcases the best of the best — the kids who show up to work every day, are great with the patrons, and going above and beyond. We invite them to create a team for their municipality, HOA, or splash services and then come out here to participate and compete. We’ve got teams from across the state– as far away as Aspen.”
Participating teams competed in seven events, including the strip ‘n boogie relay, Instagram challenge, backboarding relay, rescue tube relay, crash bag catastrophe, CPR with Prestan, and the spirit and team banner competition. Individual lifeguards also competed for fastest lifeguard (male and female).
Overall winners include:
- First Place – Town of Parker
- Second Place – Town of Golden
- Third Place – Splash Pool Service
- Fourth Place – Town of Fort Morgan
- Fifth Place – City of Westminster
- Sixth Place – Ken Caryl
- Seventh Place – Apex I
- Eighth Place – City of Broomfield
- Ninth Place – University of Colorado, Denver
- Tenth Place – City of Aspen
Avery Turney of Ken Caryl Ranch was named the fastest female lifeguard and Erik Stoltz of Denver Parks and Recreation was named the fastest male lifeguard.
“These guards are out there saving lives each day. As a 16-year-old, sometimes they don’t recognize that. As pool managers and supervisors, it’s our job to remind them the importance of what they do. These kids here really embrace that and we want to support them,” concludes Weed.
