It’s going to be quite a scene at Kalapaki Beach on Saturday, as the defending state champion Kaua‘i Jr. Lifeguards will try to win its second straight state crown. According to three-time Kaua‘i champion Jackie Brady, it’s going to be
It’s going to be quite a scene at Kalapaki Beach on Saturday, as the defending state champion Kaua‘i Jr. Lifeguards will try to win its second straight state crown.
According to three-time Kaua‘i champion Jackie Brady, it’s going to be tough to win again.
“O‘ahu is bringing just one team comprised of their best lifeguards,” Brady said.
In past years, O‘ahu fielded multiple teams and that diluted their talent pool.
For Kaua‘i, the top six performers in each division made the state squad.
A complete look at the winners from each contest can be found in the score-board on page B2.
This year’s state team features faces of old and new.
“Emma (Makepa-Foley) is probably one of our strongest girls. She’s been with us from the start and was a big part of last year’s state run,” Kaua‘i County Lifeguard Aaron Habermann said.
Hanalei’s Brady is the other female terror that should lead the Garden Isle contingent back to the top.
Another northshore hard charger, Dylan Melamed, along with Salt Pond’s Ben Baldwin, should lead the Kaua‘i boys’ squad.
“The Martins (Rachel, Scott, Nathan) are strong performers as well,” Habermann said.
But with the stage already set, there could be new lifeguards stepping up at the right time.
Don’t miss out on the State Jr. Lifeguard competition at Kalapaki Beach, by Duke’s Restaurant on Saturday morning.
