Team from SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre secured state’s Pool Lifeguard Championship

SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre’s Team C are the 2022 Royal Life Saving Society - South Australia Pool Lifeguard Champions, beating a highly competitive field of lifeguards in an impressive display of lifeguarding skills and teamwork at Marion Outdoor Pool on 23rd November.

Commenting on the event, the first of its kind in South Australia, and the success of one of its team, the first of its kind in South Australia, SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre’s Manager of Lifeguards and Events, Will Jack stated “the Lifeguard Challenge is an outstanding event.

“Our team certainly had such an amazing time competing against other centres.

“What a great display of talent across the South Australian aquatic industry. The experience, knowledge and skills that all participants develop from the event is a positive for all facilities. Bring on nationals.

“Winning this year was an exciting and a great honour for the team and we hope to be back again next year to do it all over again.”

The teams were challenged in a variety of simulated scenarios, such as managing major incidents, a theory assessment, as well as race events in the pool including rescue tows, line throws and manikin relays.

Royal Life Saving Society - South Australia acting Chief Executive, Jake Culkin said he was impressed by the standard of competitors as they dealt with complex challenges, adding “the scenarios were designed not only to test the technical skills of the individual team members, but also their overall teamwork, communication and incident response capabilities.

“The scenarios they faced were difficult, but realistic, and could easily occur at the participants’ own facilities. A variety of twists and complications were also introduced into the scenarios to make the situations even more challenging.”

Top Three Results:
1. South Australian Aquatic and Leisure Centre (SAALC) Team C = 195 points
2. Marion Outdoor Pool (MOP) Team A = 194 points
3. Waterworld Aquatic Centre (WAC) Team A = 190 points

Individual event winners included:
• Wet scenarios - MOP B & WAC A
• Dry scenarios - SAALC C 
• Theory Exam - SAALC E 
• Races - MOP A

Royal Life Saving Society - South Australia acknowledged the support of Marion City Council for providing the event venue and support staff; Royal Life Saving Society - Australia for providing support staff and competitor equipment kits; and staff and volunteers from Royal Life Saving SA who assisted with event officiating and adjudication.

Royal Life Saving Society - South Australia would also like to acknowledge the following individuals who made the event happen:

• Jake Culkin
• RJ Houston
• Michelle Williams
• Ann McIntosh
• Jayne Minear
• Steph Culkin
• David Dewar
• Brione Rundle
• The staff at Marion Outdoor Pool.

The South Australian Pool Lifeguard Challenge will return in 2023.

The event was delivered with the support of Aflex Inflatables, Marion Outdoor Pool and the Royal Life Saving Society - Australia.

Images: 2022 South Australian Pool Lifeguard Champions, SAALC Team C (top) and Jake Culkin of Royal Life Saving Society - South Australia provides the pre-event briefing to competitors (below).