Sussex County Lifesaving Association (SCLA) 2-Time National Champions

Image courtesy SCLA

For the second year in a row, the Sussex County Lifesaving Association (SCLA) has captured the national title at the US Lifesaving Association National Lifeguard Championships. The championships were held in Huntington Beach State Park in California this year. This event brought together top lifeguards and lifesaving teams from across the country who were tested in a variety of challenging surf and rescue events.  Sussex County won the National Championship for the second year in a row- making history. California has never lost Nationals while hosting the event.

Additional information from SCLA:

“This is an amazing accomplishment,” said Matt Farlow, President of SCLA. “Winning the national championship for the second year in a row is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and teamwork of our athletes. To do it in California, against some of the most elite competition in the country, is unprecedented.”

The event brought together top lifeguards and lifesaving teams from across the nation, testing athletes in a variety of challenging surf and rescue events. Facing powerhouse teams from both coasts, SCLA’s performance reflected the exceptional training, skill, and resilience of its members.

“The surf was huge and nothing like we have competed in locally this summer, but we knew what we had to do and we delivered the goods,” said Coleman Woodward, SCLA’s top male point scorer for Delaware.

This historic win not only underscores the talent within Sussex County’s ranks but also highlights the strength of Delaware’s lifesaving programs. For the second year running, Delaware lifeguard organizations came together as ONE team on the national stage — and delivered gold.

“Delaware struck GOLD in California. We let them know that we are the FIRST STATE!” said Elizabeth Fry, SCLA’s top female point scorer from Delaware.