THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, July 16, 1995                  TAG: 9507140220
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST           PAGE: 59   EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: KILL DEVIL HILLS                   LENGTH: Medium:   67 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** A photo of Noah Snyder in the July 16 edition of The Carolina Coast had an incorrect credit. The photo of Snyder riding a wave was taken by Mickey McCarthy. Correction published , The Carolina Coast, July 23, 1995, p.58 ***************************************************************** LIFEGUARDS COME TO COMPETE AND TO EXHIBIT THEIR SKILLS THE SOUTH ATLANTIC REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL BE HELD ON THE OUTER BANKS THIS WEEK.\

They're not just out there soaking up the sun, baby-sitting kids and answering the typical tourists' questions, like ``How much distance is there between the mileposts?''

The tanned teenagers and adults sitting atop those beach mini-towers are protecting folks from drowning in the ocean.

Outer Banks residents and visitors will get a chance to watch the lifeguards do their stuff during the South Atlantic Regional Championships on Wednesday and Thursday.

The competition will take place at the Kill Devil Hills Ocean Bay Boulevard beach access.

Bob Gabriel, who owns Lifeguard Beach Service Inc., has organized the competition to let ocean lifeguards show off their stamina and agility. Gabriel said it's a serious competition; there's no whistle-blowing category.

``It's a way for spectators to give them well-deserved recognition,'' Gabriel said. ``Most people don't understand what ocean lifeguards are. The level of intensity and stress is much greater than a pool lifeguard or theme park lifeguard's can be.''

Gabriel said spectators can expect some very fast-paced events, including the 2-mile beach run, surf race rescues and a 400-yard surf swim. More than 100 competitors are registered, including lifeguards from Florida, South Carolina and Georgia.

The South Atlantic competition is the precursor to the national lifesaving competition in California.

``The purpose of the competition is to bring different agencies together and to test and hone individual skills,'' Gabriel said. ``The competitors learn new skills that they can bring back to their agencies.''

By hosting the competition, Lifeguard Beach Services hopes to raise some money for lifesaving equipment, Gabriel said. He has found some businesses to sponsor the events. He also plans to sell T-shirts, sweat shirts and food and drink at the competition. Most of the fund-raising will go toward covering the cost of the event, Gabriel said.

The competition will officially begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday with an opening ceremony, lifesaving demonstrations and possibly fireworks on the beach after sunset. ILLUSTRATION: Riding high

Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON

Noah Snyder, a premier Outer Banks surfer who has ranked at the top

of local contests, tucks underneath the lip of a wave at Rodanthe

after Tropical Storm Barry whipped up some waves. Snyder, who hails

from Kill Devil Hills, has recently turned professional on the

surfing circuit.

by CNB