For American lifesaver Montana George, the Lifesaving World Championships 2026 will mark her second time representing the United States on the world stage, following a journey that began with a love of ocean swimming and grew into a passion for the lifesaving community.
A California State Lifeguard who began lifeguarding in 2021, George first competed in surf lifesaving at regionals in Huntington Beach in 2022. Since then, the sport has become an important part of her life, allowing her to continue competing after graduating from college while remaining connected to the work of keeping others safe.
Now preparing to compete across almost every pool event, as well as the Ocean Swim and Rescue Race, George is looking forward to testing herself against athletes from around the world while representing both her country and the lifeguarding community.
We caught up with Montana to find out more about her lifesaving journey, training and what she is looking forward to most at LWC2026.
What does being selected for the Lifesaving World Championships 2026 mean to you personally?
Being selected for the Lifesaving World Championships 2026 means a lot to me. I am honoured to go overseas and represent my country, as well as California State Lifeguards.
Lifesaving has been such a big part of my life over these past few years, and going into my second Worlds is very special. Now that I have graduated college and completed my collegiate athletics journey, lifesaving has brought me to a community where I can continue to be an athlete as well as a lifeguard.
I want others to see that lifesaving has so many meanings but brings us all together as a community, whether it is from the west coast to the east coast or from country to country.
Can you share a bit about your background in lifesaving and how you first got involved in the sport?
I began lifeguarding in 2021, but I first got involved with surf lifesaving when Huntington State Beach hosted regionals in 2022. Chris Egan encouraged me to go and represent Cal State after hearing about my love of a red buoy swim.
After attending regionals, the team ‘cough, cough, Ryan Gates’ convinced me to attend Nationals that same year at Hermosa Beach, and I had the time of my life.
The competition was about much more than racing. I was surrounded by a community of lifeguards who showed me that lifesaving is more than just a job or a sport.
I am so proud to be part of the lifesaving community, and with the chance to represent the US, I want to continue representing it. I am currently a Huntington Beach State Junior Lifeguard instructor, and passing on the skills I have developed over the past few years to younger athletes has become the most rewarding part of my lifesaving career.
Who has had the biggest influence on your lifesaving career, and in what way?
Over the years, numerous people have influenced my lifesaving career. Family and friends have been a big part of supporting me every day, and many teammates and competitors have helped me improve not only as an athlete but as a person.
I would say the person who most affected my career was my college swim coach, Tim Kyle. I was afraid that taking time off training to attend ISRC during the 2023 season would hurt my chances.
He told me to decide whether, years from now, I would regret going. If I would, then it was something worth doing. And he was right.
I would not be here today without the confidence he gave me that I could return from that trip and still have a successful season. Under his guidance, I had a very successful college swimming career and was able to discover what else the sport had to offer.
Can you give us an insight into your preparation or training leading into Worlds? What does a typical week look like for you?
A typical training week often varies, but it usually looks like a 4am wake-up, followed by a 5am to 7am swim workout. I then head to the classroom to teach high school maths, go to the pool to coach water polo, and finish the day with another workout, whether that is weights, a run or pool lifesaving skills.
Saturdays are for ocean practice and pool lifesaving practice, while Sundays are a rest day.
Which events will you be competing in, and what are you most looking forward to?
I will be competing in almost every pool event, as well as the Ocean Swim and Rescue Race.
I am looking forward to the pool events because they have been a big part of my training leading up to Worlds. In 2024, I competed with not much experience, but after this past year of training, I am excited to see how I stack up against athletes from around the world. In the pool, I am most looking forward to the 200m Obstacles and 200m Super Lifesaver.
In the ocean, I am excited for the Rescue Race because it brings everyone together and really shows what being a lifeguard is all about. I am a lifeguard, and that is the race that means the most to me.
What are your expectations for the competition?
My expectation is that there will be many amazing athletes competing, all there to represent their countries. It is exciting to compete at such a high level, not only for the competition itself but also for the opportunity to meet incredible people who embody what it means to be a lifesaver.
For myself, my biggest expectation is not a placing, but to compete with confidence, knowing that I have put in the work. It is not all about the competition, but about coming away from Worlds knowing that I gave everything to each race and represented the US well.
What’s one thing you’d like people to know about you, either as an athlete or outside the sport?
Outside of lifesaving, I am finishing my master’s degree and teaching credential to become a qualified maths teacher.
I have always enjoyed working with people and helping others learn, which is a big reason why I love working with the Junior Guard program. I think that passion for teaching carries into this sport because we are all constantly learning from each other.
I love encouraging other people and helping them feel confident in themselves. While competing is a big part of why I love lifesaving as a sport, I also enjoy the opportunity to give back to the next generation of lifeguards and to my team.
The 2026 Lifesaving World Championships begin in Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay on 25 November 2026.