It wasn't the Olympics, but Whitehall's 22nd annual Wacky Water Games, held Saturday at the Parkview Pool, Hokendauqua, drew a sizable crowd of participants and spectators, by far the largest attendance the pool has had this year so far.

Allison Emick, a lifeguard at the Parkview Pool, teamed up with Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. in singing the national anthem to kick off the 2013 water games and contests.

Township Recreation Director Greg Mooney said the two-hour event was a huge success, whether spectators competed or watched the event from a beach chair.

The Battle of the Guards was the first event scheduled. Lifeguards from Parkview, Hokendauqua; Jefferson Pool, Fullerton; and Cementon, competed for the trophy and bragging rights. The events included a watermelon race, 50-yard race with rafts and two-hand holding with a partner.

Cementon Pool lifeguards were crowned by judges as the champions, dethroning Parkview, winners in 2012. Parkview came in second and Jefferson in third.

While there were no blue ribbon podium honors for the winners, prizes from businesses and others were awarded.

From ages 4 to 30 and over, there were water competitive events for everyone. Youngsters waded in the circular one-foot-deep pool for the duck scramble, doggie paddle race, water balloon race and crazy jump.

At the big pool, 15-yard races were under way for the 4- to 5-year age group, along with the crazy jump, water balloon race and doggie paddling.

Bobbing, crazy jump, a 15-yard race and a water balloon race were on tap for the 6- to 8-year-old boys and girls.

The 25-yard freestyle race, wackiest dive and noodle and water balloon races were also scheduled for the 9- to 11-year olds.

Popular was the 25-yard golf ball plate race, for the 12- to 15-year-old children, and the 25-yard freestyle sprint, noodle race and wackiest dive.

Also in the pool were 16- through 30-year-olds, competing in a raft race, kickboard race, noodle race and biggest splash.

The over-30 group competed in wackiest dive, raft and ride-the-kickboard races and a 25-yard freestyle.