United State Lifesaving Association, Miami Beach Inc.

Description

Since 1964, the United States Lifesaving Association has been working to reduce fatalities from the third leading cause of accidental death in the United States -drowning. It1s main goals are to establish and maintain standards for open water and surf lifeguards while educating the public in beach and water safety. With over 8000 water safety professionals as members, the USLA annually protects over 200,000,000 beachgoers. Structurally, the USLA has eight regions each representing an area of the nation, and is the only national non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization fostering open water safety in the United States. Since 1979, the USLA has also played an increasing role as the certifying authority for open water lifeguard services. Beginning in 1971, national lifeguard competitions have been an important part of the USLA. More than a sporting event, the national championships show the public the rescue skills of water safety professionals in a most exciting and demanding way! For two days, lifeguards vigorously compete in highly visible races on public beaches testing swimming, running, and water craft skills, all essential to lifesaving. In addition to the professional competition, a junior competition is held for hundreds of future lifeguards on the first day of the competition. The USLA each year rotates the site of the national championship to one of the eight regions in the U.S.A. With the competition rotating to the Southeast Region in 2001, Miami Beach, FL has been chosen as the site for the National Lifeguard Championships. As a world class city, Miami Beach makes an ideal promotional location for this event. Equally important, a strong cadre of local professionals and volunteers have been organized and are preparing for the 2001 tournament. Miami Beach fully expects to attract more than 600 professional competitors nationwide with international representation as well from Australia, Canada and Japan. About 75% of the competitors will be male and 25% female.