Ashlyn Roselle Is Making Waves
Ashlyn Roselle, 22 and a graduate of University of South Carolina, turns a summer lifeguarding job into an international surf lifesaving journey of discipline, determination and big goals.
Q: How did your athletic journey lead you to surf lifesaving?
A: I grew up doing a variety of sports, including ice skating, gymnastics, dance and volleyball. Since summer 2021, I’ve been an ocean rescue lifeguard with North Bethany Beach Patrol. I started competing in local lifeguard competitions in 2022 and competed in my first National competition in 2024. I’ve represented Team USA Surf Lifesaving internationally in Australia and New Zealand, with South Africa coming up in November 2026!
Q: What inspired you to take the sport more seriously?
A: I started guarding for fun in 2021 and competing in 2024. I didn’t even know competitive surf lifesaving existed, but once I was exposed to it and the lifeguarding culture, I was hooked. I had a top-10 finish in my first competition and continued climbing the leaderboard. After a top-five finish with little training, I realized I could get really good by adding weight training in the offseason and more intentional sprint training during the summers.
Q: What has been your favorite competitive moment?
A: My favorite moment so far was the Mid-Atlantic Regionals in Rehoboth this summer. I won all three events I competed in—beach flags, the 90m open sprint and the 4x90m relay. Best-case scenario! It was such a confidence boost and proved to me that I could succeed in all three areas. Shoutout to my relay team!
Q: How did you balance college and training?
A: I established an incredible gym community at Carolina CrossFit, where I took classes and participated in open gym for more sport-specific training. I prioritized time-blocking my days so I wasn’t sacrificing my grades to get in a good training session, or vice versa.
Q: What has competing taught you?
A: Teamwork, persistence and discipline. The surf lifesaving community is unmatched. Pursuing something outside of a career and school is so important, and proving to myself that I can be disciplined in practice and training makes me believe I can translate that skill into other areas of my life.
Q: Have any coaches or mentors played a significant role?
A: My dad has been an incredible supporter and mentor. He saw my potential and believed in me before I even began training. Derek Shockro has organized sprint training for SCLA athletes for three summers, building community and contributing to our National Championship success over the past three years. Dan Matta, an incredible beach flagger, has shaped my form and technique and knows how to get me amped up to win!
Q: What are your goals for the future?
A: Continue representing the USA on the National Team at the Lifesaving World Championship and International Surf Rescue Challenge. Win each event I’m disciplined in at Nationals, podium in an international individual event, become an entrepreneur and have a family.
Q: What advice do you have for other young athletes?
A: Go for it! Just start! And when you do, train hard so that when you stand on the start line, you know you gave it everything.