HealthQuest in Flemington starting lifeguard competition

FLEMINGTON — HealthQuest Family Fitness lifeguards will stack up against one another in their bid to become victorious at the inaugural Best at the Quest HealthQuest Lifeguard Challenge.

The competition’s events will feature a 500-meter swim, a mile run, a 40-yard sprint, a 100-meter rescue board paddle and three-one minute strength events, scoring participants on max reps in push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups.

Lifeguards will be separated into five divisions: men’s over 18, men’s under 18, women’s over 18, women’s under 18 and over 40.

Kenan Lake, aquatics operation manager, said he created the challenge to raise the standard while keeping it fun for department bragging rights.

“I came up with this idea as a way to get lifeguards more engaged in the physical aspect of their jobs. I also want to make this a more fun place to work. A lot of our staff is very competitive, so feeding off of that, I came up with this idea to see who’s best of the Quest.”

Aside from showcasing their skills, Lake knows that the main benefit to the competition is to help participants measure their proficiencies and weaknesses.

“If there’s an area they’re weak at, it’s something for them to practice. It’s important to be at a higher level of physical fitness, and that’s what this is designed to do, to motivate them in a fun competitive way so they can be more proficient.”

The field of 20 competitors encompasses a wide variety of athletes with various backgrounds, some of which include Lake, a former Army infantry squad leader and an adventure racing enthusiast; Army National Guardsman Brent Long; aquatics manager Caitlyn McTeigue, an active rock climber, surfer and military obstacle race fanatic; Hunterdon Central Regional High School senior Brandon Suk, a Monmouth University football prospect; and swim siblings Jess and Samantha, who both are competitors on the Warren Hills Regional High School swim team.