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Photos and text by Eric Heinz
Swaths of gray brought on by “June Gloom” could not dampen the spirits of 23 swimmers who came out Sunday for the inaugural Lifeguard Challenge.
The event was put on by the San Clemente Lifeguard and Junior Lifeguard Foundation, the Friends of San Clemente Beaches, Parks & Recreation Foundation, and the city of San Clemente.
In three separate divisions, swimmers had to make their way from the shore to 400 yards out by the Pier and back. The distance is set by the standards to qualify for the San Clemente Marine Safety Division’s lifeguards.
The surf was averaging 3 to 4 feet with intermittent 5-foot waves.
Separating herself from the pack, 10-year-old Savannah Punak was the lone under-12 swimmer, who was able to complete a 400-yard swim out to sea and back.
Certificates were given to those who completed the 800-yard swim in under 13 minutes and 15 seconds.
Results:
Open Division (Minutes:Seconds)
1. Boston Willaims, 10:30* (M)
2. Sean O’Gorman, 10:52*
3. Ian Pruit, 11:15*
4. Carson Williams, 11:59*
5. R. Chetwynd, 12:10*
6. Thomas Dollar, 13:08*
7. Lilly Murant, 13:51 (W)
8. Ian O’Gorman, 13:51
9. Mike Dollar, 16:57
10. Cole (no last name given), 18:13
Junior Division (12-18)
1. Adrina Daniel, 11:45* (W)
2. Jonathan Oliver, 12:07* (M)
3. Erika Effenberer, 14:12
4. Dane Olbrich, 14:30
5. Jacob Geuhard, 15:15
6. Cole Underwood, 18:30
Junior Division (Under 12)
1. Savannah Punak
* Denotes made time required for Marine Safety Division Lifeguards
(M) Men’s Division Champion
(W) Women’s Division Champion
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