COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Hundreds of athletes took to the water Sunday for the annual Coeur d’Alene Ironman triathlon, but behind the race’s swim course, a father-son team was already on the water hours before the first competitor dove in.
Captain Tony and Captain Austin Munda, the team behind Marine Rescue CDA, spent their Father’s Day morning doing what they love — keeping athletes safe on Lake Coeur d’Alene. The pair is part of a seven-boat rescue operation that patrols the mile-long swim portion of the race each year.
The two started their day around 4:15 a.m. for a morning briefing and were on the water by 5:30 a.m., scanning the course for swimmers in distress.
“I’m really proud of him. You know, he’s followed my footsteps. I’ve been doing marine assistance for 26 years, and he followed my footsteps — got his captain’s license, and he’s been right by my side ever since,” Captain Tony said of his son.
The rescue operation relies on a coordinated system of signals. When a swimmer needs help, they raise an orange flag to alert the nearest watercraft. Jet skis respond first, then transfer the athlete to one of the rescue boats if needed.
“They’ll signal with an orange flag to get them out of the water and have a jet ski come out and get them, and from there, shuttle to the rescue boats,” Captain Austin said.
Radio communication keeps all seven boats connected across the course. During Sunday’s race, crews monitored the water closely, at one point directing a jet ski toward a swimmer who had drifted off course.
While no swimmers required rescue Sunday, the crew was prepared. Any athlete pulled from the water would receive a blanket immediately to counter the effects of the 63-degree lake temperature before being transported to shore.
Over 15 years of volunteering at the event, the Marine Rescue CDA team has pulled roughly five swimmers from the water — most due to cold or exhaustion.
“It’s usually because they’re cold or tired or, you know, the water temperature is a big factor,” Captain Austin said.
When asked why he keeps coming back year after year, his answer was simple, because of the community.
“We love doing this. We love being a part of the community,” Captain Austin said.
The Coeur d’Alene Ironman is one of the region’s marquee endurance events, drawing competitors from across the country each year.
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