The best of Central Coast Council’s lifeguard service battled it out on Terrigal Beach last week for top honours in Central Coast Council’s inaugural lifeguard challenge.

The annual challenge took a new approach this year following the amalgamation of the former Gosford and Wyong Councils in May 2016.

Competitors contended individually in the Howard Jones Memorial Mission and in teams to take out the coveted Cook Cup trophy.

Council’s Connected Communities Group Leader, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the competitive spirit was still there under the new format.

“Thirty of our finest lifeguards took part in the two events that demonstrated their experience, skill and talent,” Ms Vaughan said.

“Our Lifeguards do a great job keeping our beaches safe every summer and certainly showed off these skills at the challenge.”

The Howard Jones Memorial Mission is an individual event consisting of an 800metre run, 400metre swim, 800metre run and 600metre board paddle.

The Cook Cup is a team event which saw 10 teams of three compete in an 800metre run, 400metre swim and a 600metre board paddle.

Shelly Beach’s James Koch was the man of moment taking home both the Howard Jones Memorial trophy as well as the coveted Cook Cup.

The top five place getters in the Howard Jones Memorial Mission were: James Koch, Brad McCloghry, Zak Van Dartel, Tom Simpson and Tom Lennox.

The winning team in the Cook Cup was James Koch, Zak Van Dartel and Jack Waddell.

The champion Lifeguards will now form one team to compete in the annual Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association’s Inter-Council Lifeguard Challenge at Bondi Beach on Saturday 11 February from 4pm.

The team will take on some of the best lifeguards from the east coast, including the popular Bondi Lifeguards.