Background  |  Open National Team Selection Criteria  |  Open High Performance Squad  | Open National Team Selection Panel

Background

The USLA has been a part of international lifesaving competition since entering a team in the 1956 Olympic Surf Carnival in Torquay, Victoria, Australia. More recently, the USLA National teams have regularly competed in the biannual World Lifesaving Championships and International Surf Racing Challenge (ISRC) and annually in the Sanyo Bussan International Lifesaving Cup. The goal of lifesaving sport is to bring lifesavers together in the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and collaboration.

Open National Team Selection Criteria

Any current USLA member, if eligible and able to participate, may be considered for the national team. We have completed the selection process for the 2025 National Team, which is scheduled to compete at the International Surf Rescue Challenge at Mount Manganui, New Zealand in November 2025.

The National Team Manager and Head Coach, along with members of the National Team coaching staff, selected the members of the National Teams based on a timeline they determined. While recent results played a large role in team selections, coaches also considered an athlete’s history of results.

Due to the limited spots on national teams for each competition, the selection committee considered individual event success as well as an athlete’s versatility.

Athletes selected to any national team signed and agreed to abide by the USLA Athlete Agreement. As representatives of the USLA and USA, coaches also considered the character of athletes and their ability to represent us in foreign cultures.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the exceptional athletes selected for the 2025 Adult National Team. Their dedication and skills have earned them the honor of representing the United States in New Zealand this November.

Open High Performance Squad

The national teams will offer additional training opportunities to a pool of athletes eager to join a national team. Participation in the HPS allows national team coaches to monitor athlete progress, provide additional training opportunities, and track athlete performance in training and competition. HPS membership is not a prerequisite for national team selection.

During the year, pool and ocean training camps may be held at various venues. HPS athletes are encouraged to attend camps so national team candidates can learn to work together, while challenging each other through vigorous training and event specific instruction.

Online Applications for the High Performance Squad are now being accepted. If you are a current USLA Member and wish to apply, click HERE.

Open National Team Selection Panel

If you have any questions about these criteria or the process, please contact the USLA Open National Team Manager, Hunter Hay ntmanager@usla.org