In just under 30 days, three lifeguards from Monmouth County will compete on an international stage at the 2026 Lifesaving World Championships in South Africa.

Jackson Napolitano, Emily Sudol and Nathan earned coveted spots in an international lifeguard competition while balancing full-time school, jobs and other sports.

The US Lifesaving Association Youth National Team will compete at the 2026 World Championships in South Africa from Nov. 29 to Dec. 7.

Monmouth County lifeguards Napolitano and Sudol will represent the United States as well as their hometown beaches, Deal Beach Patrol and Sea Girt Beach.

Two years ago, Sudol competed in Australia on a world stage and will return this year. This past August, Napolitano traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to compete in the 2026 United States Lifesaving Championships for the very first time.

”I've been training every week. Multiple times a week,” said Napolitano. “Keeping people safe on the water and on the land, these competitions are really just a way to bring all the lifeguards together."

”I think we take working at the beach pretty seriously,” said Sudol. “We love to have fun and work hard, but we enjoy competing, enjoy going to local tournaments,” said Sudol.

Napolitano and Sudol are among three Monmouth County lifeguards who will be in South Africa to compete this November into December. Some of their teammates are from California, Delaware and Jones Beach, New York.