Visitors to the Walnut Grove Community Centre this past Saturday were in capable hands, if they were to find themselves in any kind of distress.

That's because the facility was crawling with lifeguards, there for the 11th annual Langley Lifeguard Competition.

Competitors showcased their skills during B.C.'s largest and longest-running lifeguard competition, that included 13 teams of four competing for the title of Fraser Valley regional champions.

"The event went fantastic," event organizer and meet manager Ryan Radford said.

Results were:

- first place - Flip Flops (Coquitlam);

- second place - Beach Patrol (Langley), and

- third place - Shockwave (Vernon).

These three teams are now headed to the Barnsley B.C. & Yukon Lifeguard Championships in Coquitlam Aug 27-28.

Langley Township lifeguards banded together to form the Aquabots, who placed eighth and were awarded as the top rookie team.

Aquabots team captain Mark McLeod said lifeguard competitions take his job "to the next level."

"It's exciting," he said. "It's an adrenaline rush."

McLeod's teammate Peter Wang said the Aquabots' goal was to do their best.

"We want to always improve," he said. "That's the main thing."

The lifeguards' skills were tested in the following categories: first aid simulation, pool simulation, individual first aid, priority assessment, and fitness.

Life-saving situations were simulated and the team members were expected to scan, find, and treat all the injured victims.

One of the more challenging events of the day was the first aid simulation involving a bouncy castle.

The competition was supported by a host of local sponsors, 60-plus volunteers, and the Langley CUPE 403.

Planning for the event begins in March and is set up to be as real as possible.

tlandreville@langleyadvance.com