Shellharbour City Council's lifeguards have continued their remarkable run of success, taking out the 2026 Illawarra and South Coast Lifeguard Challenge in a thrilling contest of skill, teamwork and endurance.
Lifeguards from Wollongong City, Kiama Municipal and Shoalhaven City councils pushed hard, but the local team of Storm Balmain, Will Fowler, Leivi Willis, Wade Anderton, Lucas Krstevski and Jordan Simpson secured the title for Shellharbour for the fourth straight year.
Shellharbour also placed third with the team of Sean Ritter, Kyah Shipley, Mack Elliot, Baxter Devine, Callum Balcon and Nicole Sims, while Wollongong finished second.
Caption: Shellharbour City Council's winning Lifeguard team from left to right: Storm Balmain, Will Fowler, Leivi Willis, Wade Anderton, Lucas Krstevski and Jordan Simpson. Image courtesy of Shellharbour City Council.
"This is an incredible feat by our dedicated lifeguard team. Winning this title four years in a row is a testament to their skill and spirit," Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said.
"Our lifeguards demonstrate outstanding professionalism, resilience and teamwork all year round."
The annual event, hosted this year at Shellharbour Surf Life Saving Club on Thursday 12 February, saw 54 lifeguards from across the region competing in a series of demanding beach and water-based relay events.
The Lifeguard Challenge tests strength, speed and coordination in conditions that mirror the demands of real-life rescues in a friendly but fiercely contested environment.
Nine teams competed this year, each featuring six lifeguards including at least one female and one member aged over 30.
"The Lifeguard Challenge is more than a competition. It celebrates the vital role these teams play in protecting beachgoers and showcases the strong bonds between lifeguards across the Illawarra and South Coast," Mayor Homer said.
Shellharbour City Council congratulates all participants and thanks everyone involved in making the 2026 challenge a memorable and successful event.
KEY MESSAGES:
- Shellharbour City Council lifeguards have claimed the 2026 Illawarra and South Coast Lifeguard Challenge, securing the title for the fourth year in a row.
- The annual challenge tests real world lifesaving skills, bringing together regional lifeguard teams in demanding beach and water based events.
- The win highlights the professionalism, teamwork and commitment of Shellharbour's lifeguards in keeping local beaches safe year round.
