OluKai, official footwear of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association (HLA), donated footwear to the uniform of the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Team as they competed in the International Surf Rescue Challenge (ISRC) 2013 held September 19th 22nd on Onjuku Beach in Chiba, Japan.
Gathering the world’s top lifesavers, the ISRC’s four day competition is open to proficient lifesavers that are part of a national team appointed by the national lifesaving bodies of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Great Britain, USA, Belgium, Germany, South Korea, Hong Kong, France, and Japan. Each invited team brings 12 athletes per team, 6 males and 6 females, one manager, and one coach.
Placing fourth overall, the USLA National Team, consisted of Annie Fittin, Coral Kemp, Tandis Morgan, Jennifer Noonan, Kelsey O’Donnell, Sandi Woodead, Tim Burdiak, Brian Costello, Sean Lane, Tom O’Neill, Shane Scoggins, Rich Sprout, and Team Manager/Coach Jay Butki of Catalina Island, Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association.
OluKai outfitted each USLA team member with three HLA styles: the Kia’i Trainer, Kamiki and Kia’i sandal. OluKai donates a portion of the proceeds from all consumer sales of HLA styles to support the Junior Lifeguards, an ongoing component to OluKai’s Giveback Program.
“The USLA National Team is serious about competing at the national level and supporting them with OluKai's puts them at an advantage,” says Archie Kalepa, Director of Ocean Safety on Maui, HI. “As lifeguards, we perform unrecognized heroic acts every day, like a fireman or policeman. The Kia’i Trainer, Kamiki and Kia’i sandal are part of Hawaiian lifeguard’s uniform, part of our tool chest.”
