The Illawarra and Shoalhaven's Lifeguard Challenge returns this Thursday (2 February, 6pm) at Surf Beach, Kiama.
The Lifeguard Challenge will see teams of lifeguards from Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven councils go head-to-head in a friendly competition on and off the water.
Ten teams are scheduled to take part in the challenge, which involves a series of challenges including run, swim tag, water paddle and rescue.
Each team of six lifeguards must have at least one female member and one member aged over 27 years.
The Lifeguard Challenge was last held in 2014.
Senior Beach Lifeguard Blair Day, who has revived the event, said it was an opportunity for our local professional lifeguards to celebrate the end of another busy summer holidays.
"Between all four councils we have around 160 lifeguards keeping an eye out for hundreds of thousands of beach goers up and down our coast over the holidays," Mr Day said.
"It's an important job, and one we love doing, but we often are so busy we forget to stop and give ourselves a little pat-on-the back."
Mr Blair, who splits his time as lifeguard between Kiama and Shellharbour, says the Lifeguard Challenge was originally inspired by a similar event shown on the TV series Bondi Rescue.
"To be honest, I reckon the lifeguard talent we've got here on the South Coast is as good, if not better, than what they have on Sydney's beaches."
To spice up the local challenge, a new trophy will be presented to the winning team, adding to the usual bragging rights.
Photo: Blair Day (Kiama) and Brendan Smith (Wollongong) with the new Lifeguard Challenge trophy
