Photos: Lifeguards in El Salvador compete in an endurance challenge

Participants of the annual Paso del Hombre endurance challenge jump into the water at La Libertad port in El Salvador on February 24, 2013. About 370 male and female lifeguard volunteers swam for four to five hours continuously during the 49th edition of the event organized by the Salvadorian Red Cross in collaboration with the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Civil National Police. REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

Approximately 370 lifeguard aspirants participate in the 49th "El Paso del Hombre" aquatic marathon, in the port of La Libertad, 35 km from San Salvador, El Salvador on february 24, 2013. The main aim of this traditional physical test is to prepare lifeguards to serve during the holiday season in El Salvador. Marvin RECINOS/AFP/Getty Images

Approximately 370 lifeguard aspirants participate in the 49th "El Paso del Hombre" aquatic marathon, in the port of La Libertad, 35 km from San Salvador, El Salvador on February 24, 2013. The main aim of this traditional physical test is to prepare lifeguards to serve during the holiday season in El Salvador. Marvin Recinos/AFP/Getty Images

A participant of the annual Paso del Hombre endurance challenge carries little plastic bags containing honey, saline solution, pieces of lemon and water mixed with sugar before jumping into the ocean at La Libertad port in El Salvador February 24, 2013. About 370 male and female lifeguard volunteers swam for four to five hours continuously during the 49th edition of the event organized by the Salvadorian Red Cross in collaboration with the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Civil National Police, local media reported. REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

Lifeguards warm up before the annual Paso del Hombre endurance challenge at La Libertad port in El Salvador February 24, 2013. About 370 male and female lifeguard volunteers swam for four to five hours continuously during the 49th edition of the event organized by the Salvadorian Red Cross in collaboration with the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Civil National Police, local media reported. REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

A cross necklace is seen at the back of a lifeguard before the annual Paso del Hombre endurance challenge at La Libertad port in El Salvador February 24, 2013. About 370 male and female lifeguard volunteers swam for four to five hours continuously during the 49th edition of the event organized by the Salvadorian Red Cross in collaboration with the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Civil National Police, local media reported. REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

Participants of the annual Paso del Hombre endurance challenge stand together before getting into the ocean at La Libertad port in El Salvador February 24, 2013. About 370 male and female lifeguard volunteers swam for four to five hours continuously during the 49th edition of the event organized by the Salvadorian Red Cross in collaboration with the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Civil National Police, local media reported. Picture taken February 24, 2013. REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

Approximately 370 lifeguard aspirants participate in the 49th "El Paso del Hombre" aquatic marathon, in the port of La Libertad, 35 km from San Salvador, El Salvador on february 24, 2013. The main aim of this traditional physical test is to prepare lifeguards to serve during the holiday season in El Salvador. Marvin RECINOS/AFP/Getty Images

Approximately 370 lifeguard aspirants participate in the 49th "El Paso del Hombre" aquatic marathon, in the port of La Libertad, 35 km from San Salvador, El Salvador on february 24, 2013. The main aim of this traditional physical test is to prepare lifeguards to serve during the holiday season in El Salvador. Marvin Recinos/AFP/Getty Images

The Air Force rescue team take part in a drill during the annual Paso del Hombre endurance challenge at La Libertad port in El Salvador February 24, 2013. About 370 male and female lifeguard volunteers swam for four to five hours continuously during the 49th edition of the event organized by the Salvadorian Red Cross in collaboration with the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Civil National Police, local media reported. REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

Participants of the annual Paso del Hombre endurance challenge jump into the sea at La Libertad port in El Salvador February 24, 2013. About 370 male and female lifeguard volunteers swam for four to five hours continuously during the 49th edition of the event organized by the Salvadorian Red Cross in collaboration with the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Civil National Police, local media reported. Picture taken February 24, 2013. REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

Lifeguards run to the water during the annual Paso del Hombre endurance challenge at La Libertad port in El Salvador February 24, 2013. About 370 male and female lifeguard volunteers swam for four to five hours continuously during the 49th edition of the event organized by the Salvadorian Red Cross in collaboration with the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Civil National Police, local media reported. REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

A helicopter hovers over the beach after assisting participants of the annual Paso del Hombre endurance challenge at La Libertad port in El Salvador February 24, 2013. About 370 male and female lifeguard volunteers swam for four to five hours continuously during the 49th edition of the event organized by the Salvadorian Red Cross in collaboration with the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Civil National Police, local media reported. Picture taken February 24, 2013. REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

A lifeguard reacts after being rescued by the Red Cross due to cramps during the annual Paso del Hombre endurance challenge at La Libertad port in El Salvador February 24, 2013. About 370 male and female lifeguard volunteers swam for four to five hours continuously during the 49th edition of the event organized by the Salvadorian Red Cross in collaboration with the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Civil National Police, local media reported. REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

Lifeguards take part in a drill during the annual Paso del Hombre endurance challenge at La Libertad port in El Salvador February 24, 2013. About 370 male and female lifeguard volunteers swam for four to five hours continuously during the 49th edition of the event organized by the Salvadorian Red Cross in collaboration with the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Civil National Police, local media reported. REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

Approximately 370 lifeguard aspirants participate in the 49th "El Paso del Hombre" aquatic marathon, in the port of La Libertad, 35 km from San Salvador, El Salvador on february 24, 2013. The main aim of this traditional physical test is to prepare lifeguards to serve during the holiday season in El Salvador. Marvin Recinos/AFP/Getty Images

Lifeguards swim during the annual Paso del Hombre endurance challenge at La Libertad port in El Salvador February 24, 2013. About 370 male and female lifeguard volunteers swam for four to five hours continuously during the 49th edition of the event organized by the Salvadorian Red Cross in collaboration with the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Civil National Police, local media reported. REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

Approximately 370 lifeguard aspirants participate in the 49th "El Paso del Hombre" aquatic marathon, in the port of La Libertad, 35 km from San Salvador, El Salvador on february 24, 2013. The main aim of this traditional physical test is to prepare lifeguards to serve during the holiday season in El Salvador. Marvin Recinos/AFP/Getty Images

A lifeguard is congratulated by his mother after finishing the annual Paso del Hombre endurance challenge at La Libertad port in El Salvador February 24, 2013. About 370 male and female lifeguard volunteers swam for four to five hours continuously during the 49th edition of the event organized by the Salvadorian Red Cross in collaboration with the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Civil National Police, local media reported. REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

Approximately 370 lifeguard aspirants participate in the 49th "El Paso del Hombre" aquatic marathon, in the port of La Libertad, 35 km from San Salvador, El Salvador on february 24, 2013. The main aim of this traditional physical test is to prepare lifeguards to serve during the holiday season in El Salvador. Marvin Recinos/AFP/Getty Images