  |
Competitions and Popular Culture |
|
The popular culture of the Lifeguard has become one of a hero status thanks to many TV shows including the famous series Baywatch set on the California Coast and ran between 1989 and 2001 and is, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the most watched show of all time! Other popular conceptions are that of the older lifeguards being ‘beach bums’ and the younger guards as surfers. It has also been referred to as a ‘sexy’ job due to the sexual overtones of resuscitation and the rescues in beachwear often portrayed on television. With Actress Pamela Anderson and Actor David Hasselhoff making their names on the legendary Baywatch shows as lifeguards, it is not surprising that this image has remained. |
|
| Home | Equipment Used | Lifesaving | around the world | Competitions | Contact Us | | |
Now that Lifesaving actively promotes prevention in its work there are many competitions and sporting events held around the globe to encourage individuals to learn about safety in and around water. In pools most of the events are swimming and towing competitions where competitors will race to complete different tasks both on dry side and water side. In Beach competitions the use of water vessels also encourages people to take part and helps them learn about lifeguards and lifesaving. As continuous training is involved in maintaining status as a lifeguard many competitions evolved as a way to both socially compete and actively encourage existing lifeguards. The events usually compose of both physical and technical expertise. Some of these events include the annual Surf Lifesaving competition in Australia and often has tens of thousands of competitors!