An estimated 110 million people visit the beaches of Southern California during the summer time. From star-laden Malibu to the hipster-centric Laguna Beach, the Left Coast of America is renowned for its miles of shoreline, sunshine (as well as its May Gray, June Gloom, and No-sky July), coastal cruising locations, people-watching, and sports opportunities.
An estimated 40% of the beach-goers actually get in the water to cool off, swim, surf, body surf, paddle, windsurf, kite surf, SUP, and kayak. With full-time and part-time lifeguards to protect the masses of visitors to the beach and in the surf, everyone is in well-trained hands.
They also support local police, firefighters, find lost children, bandage wounds, enforce environmental laws, and make thousands of rescues.
Always active and ever vigilant, the lifeguards are required to be fit, knowledgeable of the ocean, and be good runners and excellent watermen and waterwomen.
A stealth endurance event known as the Mega or the Mega Colossus Lifeguard Endurance Race is a Huntington State Beach Lifeguards Association-sponsored race in the sand and surf of the Pacific Beach (@huntingtonstatelifeguards).
Up and down the coast, the lifeguards are independent units, but they are also divisions of the local fire department, responsible for both onshore safety and ocean rescues. They guard from watchtowers, rescue boats, and basic patrol cars driving up and down the beach where, on a moment’s notice, they can be jumping off their watchtower, sprinting down the beach with their rescue tube and fins, dolphining through the shallows, and racing through the surf to save someone from drowning or providing medical assistance.
The Mega consists of 5 beach runs totaling 13.7 km and 4 ocean swims totaling 3.65 km through the surf and swells. There are no entry fees, no awards, no wetsuits, no fins, and no shoes. It is about as pure an athletic contests as can be. The competitors run in their swimsuits with their goggles in an underground California lifeguard celebration of life.
Organizer John Rodgers explains, “Once again, in the spirit of lifeguarding and endurance sports, it’s an honor and a privilege to run the Mega Colossus, a Huntington State Lifeguard tradition since 1979. All competent ocean athletes who love and respect the ocean and beaches of California are welcome. The bottom line is that the Mega is a free event. Participants are not required to purchase a shirt, but we sell high quality Mega merchandise to offset the expenses involved in hosting the event.”
Our vision is to provide a high quality outdoor recreation experience for the health, inspiration and enjoyment of the people of California. We firmly believe the Mega Colossus measures up to the task. It is designed to challenge and reward you physically and mentally in a competitive environment, and just maybe, instill in you a burning desire to return in future years. We want you to walk away from the Mega with a sense of belonging to the community and culture of Huntington Beach lifeguards, who respect and appreciate what Huntington Beach has to offer.“
The endurance event is silent with primarily the sound of a heavily beating heart and the roar of the crushing surf providing the ambiance. “There are no live bands, no aid stations at every mile, no chip timing and no massage tables at the finish line. It is not a fancy event, but a true lifeguard endurance test. No excuses, no explanations, just, Put Yourself on the Line.”
29-year-old Kyle Marshall from neighboring Seal Beach won the race. He currently serves as a Huntington State Beach lifeguard so he was competing literally at his office. He is representative of the over 300 lifeguards who participated this year in the 67°F water (with cooler patches here and there).
Marshall said, “Conditions were ideal for the event. There was just enough surf to make it interesting and water entry decisions crucial. I felt great during the event, but no matter how much preparation you do, the Mega will still kick your ass. The event is as physically demanding as it is mentally.
Remembering that it is a gift that we get to compete in a legendary event like this, we are also having fun and enjoying a little pain.”
While Marshall did not train specifically for the Mega, he and his fellow competitors know it is their responsibility to perform rescues. As he is often reminded, “The public keeps us accountable and in shape.”
The woman from South Africa who finished second overall works at Crystal Cove State Park as a lifeguard. She was one of the fastest ocean swimmers I have seen and a fierce competitor. I was stoked to be part of the Mega Colossus; it is a great event that brings the lifeguards community together. Just finishing the event is an amazing feat – and I look forward to next year.”
Full results will soon be posted here.
© 2025 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
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