USLA NATIONALTEAM LIFEGUARDS FOR LIFE
ISRC • NOVEMBER 2017
INTERNATIONAL SURF RESCUE CHALLENGE INSIDE: Exclusive content and athlete biographies & race results
Contents Team Manager's Report
4 Competition Results Athlete Bios Race Photos 4
Team Manager’s Report The USLA National Team earned a historic finish at the 2017 DHL International Surf Rescue Challenge (ISRC), sanctioned by the International Life Saving Federation. Conducted from November 30th to December 2nd at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, the ISRC is based around a comprehensive competition program conducted over three “tests,” which include swim, board, surf ski, and beach events. An overall point score is maintained with the winners declared the International Surf Rescue Challenge Champions. The open teams included Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, and the USA. All national teams in the 2017 International Surf Rescue Challenge were represented by a maximum competition team of 12 athletes in each test: six male and six female. The Australian national team won the open team title, as well as the Tran Tasman, and Tri Nations titles. They were followed closely by the 2016 World Champion New Zealand Black Fins, who finished second in the open team title and second in the Tran Tasman. Claiming third place in the overall team title was Team USA after trailing South Africa at the end of the second test. The USLA National team had a strong last day, finishing ahead of South Africa by 22 points. Following South Africa were the national teams of Japan, Great Britain, and Canada. This was the first time the USLA national team has finished ahead of the South African national team at an ISRC event. “It was a collective effort to finish in third place. Each athlete contributed to the team's success and there was great strength in our team unity. They represented the United of States with honor and pride throughout the competition. I am very proud of this stellar National Team." -USLA National Team Manager, Dr. Mike Barrows Mount Maunganui provided difficult and unpredictable conditions with a large shore break at high tide, changing to a deep inshore hole, long bank, and heavy outside break on the low tide. With constant coach evaluation and race strategy adaptation the athletes were able to optimize their performances in these surf conditions.
“Team USA had a strong chemistry and competitive consistency amongst the athletes throughout the competition that made this team excel, resulting in the team placing better than ever before against six other nations.� Head Coach, Tom McGibeny. Competitive highlights came from all angles on the open team. Hayden Hemmens Stellar performances against the world’s best surf lifesaving sport athletes finishing with top 3 finishes on all 3 tests in both the Ironman and surf races. Ryan Paroz Earned 3rd place finishes in the Ski and Board races. Hallie Petersohn and Casey Francis Earned 3rd place finishes in the female surf race. Amanda Calabrese Earned 2nd place finish in Beach Flags Shannon Snell Earned 2nd place finishes in Beach Sprint Tim Cabasino Earned a 3rd place finish In Beach Flags The Open Mixed Surf Teams (Kilgallen, Hemmens, Petersohn, Francis) Earned 3rd on all 3 tests behind the Australian and New Zealand
Test #3 - when points were needed to take 3rd place overall 2nd place Open Male- Rescue Tube Race (Cabasino, Kilgallen, Paroz, Burdiak) 3rd place Open Female Board Rescue (Petersohn, Solberg) 3rd place Open Male Taplin Relay (Hemmens , Paroz, Burdiak, Cabasino) 3rd place Open Female Taplin Relay (Petersohn, Solberg, Jackson, Calabrese)
For all ISRC Individual and Team results visit: http://liveresults.co.nz
USLA National Team - Women Amanda Calabrese (Hampton Beach, NY) Casey Francis (Virginia Beach, VA) Hallie Petersohn (Volusia County, FL) Jenna Solberg (Los Angeles County) Renae Jackson (California State Parks) Shannon Snell (Miami Beach) USLA National Team - Men Chase Robertson (Palm Beach County, FL) Hayden Hemmens (Newport Beach, CA) Pat Kilgallen (Riis Park, NY) Ryan Paroz (Hampton, NY) Tim Burdiak (Los Angeles County) Tim Cabasino (Long Beach, NY)
Assisting Barrows and McGibeny as an Assistant Coach was Luke Turner.
Amanda Calabrese Hampton Lifeguard Association
Years Saving Lives: 5 Why Compete in Lifesaving?: "Every competition I attend I love not just the thrilling races, but the revisiting the friendships I have made throughout the years in this sport. " As a member of Team USA "It represents a long road of hard work and diligence, and the dream of a 9-year-old Junior Lifeguard, fulfilled It means that I am presented with the opportunity to honorably represent my country while doing what I love, and that means everything to me. " A
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Casey Francis Virginia Beach Lifesaving Association
Years Saving Lives: 1 Why Compete in Lifesaving?: "I enjoy the team comradery and the sense of family I feel at competitions." Favorite Race:"I like the rescue race the best since it is a team event and all four competitors have to rely on each other. " As a member of Team USA "It is an awesome feeling to be able to represent your country and it is an honor to have been selected amongst so many other great competitors across the US. "C Fr
Chase Robertson Palm Beach County
Years Saving Lives: 12 Why Compete in Lifesaving?: "I love how it combines skills, physical ability, and ocean knowledge all into one race. Conditions are always different and no two races are the same. The camaraderie is great and it’s just a fun time. ." Favorite Race:"Ironman. It’s fun having a longer race where there’s so many opportunities to gain (or lose) ground. " C
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Good Luck Chase!
Hallie Petersohn Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association
Years Saving Lives: 8 Training and Goals: " -I’ve been swimming and training on board in preparation for the international competition. My goals would be to do my best and hopefully we can bring home a few wins as a team." Mentors:"-I would say my father is a very great mentor for me in surf lifesaving sports. He was the one who motivated into competing and he has been there every step of the way " H
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Hayden Hemmens Newport Beach Ocean Lifesaving Association
Years Saving Lives: 5 Why Compete in Lifesaving: " What I most enjoy about the sport of surf life saving is the fact that it isn’t just about our athleticism and performance in a race but that the sport itself brings awareness to ocean safety. " Mentors:"The most influential mentors would be my parents. They have always supported me and given me anything I needed to succeed. " H
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Jenna Solberg LA County Life Saving Association
Years Saving Lives: 5 Why Compete in Lifesaving: " The ever-changing ocean conditions create an environment that is unpredictable, and the competitor that can best adapt and read those conditions is the one that can take their competition to the next level " Most Memorable Experience:"work ng busy weekends running from rescue to rescue on the beaches of LA County where there was never a time I even sat down until I was leaving my shift. " S
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Pat Kilgallen Riis Park, New York
Years Saving Lives: 8 Why Compete in Lifesaving: " I enjoy training and racing with my teammates everyday.The guys I train with are very competitive so it makes training sessions fun. " Mentors:"My Dad has always been my #1 mentor in life. He’s been a huge role model my whole life. I’ve also had some great teammates in High School and College that I’ve looked to as mentors because of their work ethic and leadership skills. "
Renae Jackson California State Lifeguard Association
Why Compete in Lifesaving: "the dynamic aspect that the surf brings to the sport; it not only requires skill and physical competence, but also relies on some level of luck, making each competition exciting. " Favorite Event:"Surfski – It’s FAST, Fun and Technical." Proudest Lifesaving Accomplishment: Competing in the first ever American Ironwoman (swim, paddle, row), at USLA Nationals this past summer " -Renae Jackson
Ryan Paroz Hampton Lifeguard Association
Why Compete in Lifesaving: " I love racing, I’ve always wanted to go fast and I’ve always loved the ocean. " Training: "I’ve been mixing up the training sessions, with a combination of short and long sessions. But a typical training week would consist of 8 ski sessions, 3 board session and 6 running sessions. " As a Member of Team USA:"The feeling of pride and excitement when I tie up my beanie/competition cap and put on my swimwear is the greatest feeling. " -Ryan Paroz
Shannon Snell Miami Beach
Most Memorable Experience: "Having to perform CPR on a man who just had a Cardiac Arrest on the shoreline . When all your fellow lifeguards that you work with come together to perform the same task to help save someone’s life it’s always so rewarding to know you are there to help." Training: "To do body weight training along with resistance training. " As a Member of Team USA:"you get to be able to represent your country with fellow athletes from both coasts at one competition" -Shannon Snell
Tim Burdiak Los Angeles County Lifesaving Association
Favorite Event: "Surf Ski, the quick pace around the cans makes for some great races." Most Memorable Experience: "Teaching the juniors and watching them grow over the years into future lifeguards." Mentor: "Cliff Meidl has been one of my biggest mentors over the past few years who has really helped push me along mentally and physically by paralleling his successful and inspiring paddling career and motivational insight. " Greatest Lifesaving Accomplishment: "Surf ski World Champion" -Tim Burdiak
Tim Cabasino Long Beach, NY
Training: "a weekly regimen mixed with swimming, running, lifting, eating, and sleeping."
Most Memorable Experience: "Being able to give back to the community I grew up in, and fostering relationships between lifeguards and the public beach-goers." As a member of Team USA: "It’s a pretty humbling experience to represent team USA in the sport is about as great an honor as there is. I’m very thankful that the coaches placed their trust in me to represent our country in the most positive way possible. " -Tim Cabasino
Luke Turner Assistant Coach
Tom McGibeny Head Coach
Mike Barrows Team Manager
Congratulations from
Acena Consulting to the USLA National Team on your success at the
2018 International Surf Rescue Challenge! R&D Tax Credit Consulting Specialists acenaconsulting.com 805-426-9669 Randy Eickhoff, CPA President & Founder
Product Sponsors Thank you to our team sponsors for their generosity and support!
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All Photos from the competition were taken and donated the the USLA and National Team by Lynn Calabrese. Thank you so much for your time, effort and amazing photos for this Program Book.