Being a lifeguard is more than just sunscreen and big beach chairs.

And some of the best lifeguards in the state are gathering in Flagler County for a regional competition Thursday and Friday.

First and foremost, these Southeast Regional Surf Lifesaving Championships are a competition.

Wondering if these lifeguards should be considered athletes?

We ask Doug Flutie, Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback. Flutie is with the Brevard County Lifesaving Association. “They're all phenomenal athletes. Skill sets are different. Some guys are phenomenal swimmers.”

For the first time since 1993, these regional championships are being held on Flagler Beach.

Tom Gillin, the city's Parks and Recreation Director, said that wasn't exactly the plan he had in mind. “The plan was to go wherever it was in 2015 and shadow the people running it and then do it in '16.”

But Matt Dunn, who heads Flagler County's Tourism Department, had other ideas -- as in, there's no better time than the present.

“[Gillin] was ready for it, he was up for the challenge and we've done a great job combining forces in planning this event and I think it's going to go off without a hitch,” Dunn said.

It went off better than expected for the Flagler Beach team.

Trevor Lowe, who has been a lifeguard off and on for nine years won the first event, the surf swim.

But for those with tourism development, the city and county were winners before the first athlete hit the water. They're raising the profile of this once-sleepy beach town.

Flutie is making his first trip here. "Pulling in last night I kind of, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't know much about Flagler.”

So what's next for Flagler Beach? Well, they're quietly looking at what it would take to bring the national championships here.

By the way, this year's national lifesaving championships take place next month in Daytona Beach.

If you'd like to check out the competition, they hit the beach Friday morning at 8 and wrap up in the afternoon.

On Saturday, the junior championships will be held.