WB Ocean Rescue Tryouts

Today over 40 people showed up to try out for one of limited spots on the Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue staff. Each person is trying to join a group that is well known as one of the best trained squads (physically and technically) in the country. The tryouts consist of a timed ½ mile swim/1 mile run followed by both an active and passive rescue. When Ocean Rescue director Dave Baker says, “do not stop swimming” and “if you have to puke, do not stop running” he means it.


People line up to sign in at 8am.


The Coasties take up position in case they are needed and monitor the swimmers.


The hopefuls are told what is expected of them.


Head Lifeguard Jremeny Owens explains the swim/run to the candidates.


Dave gives them one last pep talk before the competition begins.


The participants charge in!


Some surge ahead while others fall.


The first task is to round Crystal Pier before heading to a buoy at the water tower.


Guards watch from the beach in case anyone needs assistance.


After you exit the water it's back down the beach for a mile run.


A guard gives a quick lesson on rescue technique before the active rescue.


Dave and a group of guards who play the victims talk over their strategy of how much they can struggle during the active rescue.


Participants head out to save their victims who are screaming and thrashing just outside the sandbar.


Cruisers don't go well in the soft sand :)


Dave demonstrates the proper technique for the passive rescue.


Now that you've been half drowned by a "victim" in the active rescue it's time to drag some dead weight up the beach to the high tide line.


They make it extra fun by adding a little water weight to their wetsuits.


The guards all chat at the end of the tryouts getting ready to conduct final interviews.


Interviews are pretty relaxed, language skills, prior experience, a few jokes, check, check, and check.


It's all over around noon, the guards all pitch in and get their truck and PWC out of the soft stuff.