WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. — The Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue (WBOR) Team is competing in the 2023 United States Lifeguard Association National Championships in Virginia Beach, VA. 

The WBOR team placed third in the event last year, and members have been preparing for this year's competition. 

On a typical workday, you can find Mo Peacock working the 12-hour fire shift as a lieutenant for the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department. 

When he isn’t working as a firefighter or lifeguard, he’s training. 

“To compete in [a] lifeguard sport was like very easy and natural. It was something that I was good at, something that I really enjoyed doing,” Peacock said. 

Prior to becoming a firefighter and lifeguard, Peacock graduated from UNC Wilmington and was a sprinter for their track and field team. He says all that training has translated well into the sport of lifeguarding. 

As the sprint team gathered for their workout, Peacock shared his knowledge on proper form. 

“What we really prioritize is drills form technique,” Peacock said. 

Peacock has been the WBOR's team captain since 2016. 

“So we we have a culture on the competition team in the Ocean Rescue Squad, as well as hard work pays off. So we reward people that show, show up to practices, put in the work, because we not only want to do well this year, but we want to do well five years from now,” Peacock said. 

The bond on this team is strong. They compete for each other. 

“Connections that we make with people. You get a lot closer with these people that you're spending every day with. It's extracurricular. It's totally volunteer out here. So we spend a lot of time with each other outside of work, which I think is really important for the job itself,” Peacock said.