Pool Lifesaving Championships set to commence in Melbourne

Fresh off their success at the World Lifesaving Championships in Italy in September, Australia’s top pool lifesavers will today commence competition at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

Stars of the three-day meet are expected to include Queenslander Callum Brennan (Sunshine Coast Grammar Pool Lifesaving Club) who won six silver medals in a Pool Rescue events in Italy in September 2022 and Chelsea Jones (Royal Lifesaving NSW) who was part of the 4 x 50m Manikin Relay team who smashed the world record.

Locally, all eyes will be on Victorian State Team Members and emerging stars Tallulah Rush, Heath Corry and Jemma Holt who are all expected to perform strongly in front of a home crowd.

The Royal Life Saving Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships, which take place from Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st January, test each competitor’s abilities in lifesaving through a series of challenge events that simulate real lifesaving situations and emergencies.

These events include the Manikin Carry, Manikin Tow, Line Throw, Obstacle Swim and the Simulated Emergency Response Competition (SERC) - a timed event where lifesavers are tested on their initiative, judgement, knowledge and skills. All the events are based on rescuing a person who is in immediate danger.

Held each year in a different host venue, Life Saving Victoria Chief Executive, Catherine Greaves is delighted to be hosting pool lifesavers from across the country, commenting “the Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships showcases our elite and emerging talent from across the country.

“We’re especially delighted to have such a strong youth contingent competing this year. It is always great to see that the future of Pool Lifesaving is in good hands.

“The event is an opportunity to showcase the sport of Pool Lifesaving, and the stage is set for a great competition as State and Territory teams battle it out for the Championship title.

“Regardless of the result, or our competitive spirit to each do our very best, it is special to know beyond everything, that we are part of a vibrant movement with the same goal to ultimately end aquatic related death and injury in, on and around water.”

The Australian Life Saving Team were the first nation to win both Open and Youth Overall Point Scores at the same Lifesaving World Championships after comprehensive performances by both teams at the 2022 Lifesaving World Championships in Riccione, Italy.

The Australian Pool Life Saving Championships 2023 are supported by Laerdal.

Image: Action from the Australian Pool Life Saving Championships at MSAC (top) and the Manikin Tow event at the 2016 Championships (below).