Top lifesavers compete in Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships

Top lifesavers from around the nation have begun competing in the annual Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships.

Over 170 champion lifesavers are testing their abilities in pool lifesaving, competing in events that directly simulate real situations and emergencies that lifesavers encounter.

Athletes will also be aiming for selection in the Australian Lifesaving Team which will be heading to France later in the year to take part in the World Lifesaving Championships where up to 5,000 competitors take part. The Australian Lifesaving Team aims to regain the World Championship Crown.

The Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships are held every year, with New South Wales having won the title for the past three years.

Championships organiser, Royal Life Saving Society Australia National Sport and Events Officer Emma MacMillan explains "this remarkable event sees the very best pool lifesavers getting together. Lifesavers are heroes across our nation. We can never afford to forget that.

"It is always a very proud moment seeing the amazing dedication. There is a very high standard of competition and athleticism. This event is a moment to stop and shine the spotlight on Aussie lifesaving heroes.

"It is very dynamic to watch. Each event is based on potential real-life rescue scenarios. The figures from the last National Drowning Report clearly show we are obviously losing too many lives with an increase in the number of people over 55 drowning. Lifesavers are part of the fabric of our nation."

Royal Life Saving National Sports Adviser Gray Parkes adds "the Australian Pool Life Saving Championships will see lifesavers compete in events including 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."

Athletes at this year's Championship will also be competing with each other to try to be selected for the Royal Life Saving's Australian Teams the Open Aussie Barras, the Under 19 Silver Barras and the Under 16 Junior Barras who will be participating in a High Performance/Race Simulation Training Camp later this year.

The Australian Lifesaving Team has already achieved great success in 2013. At the recent German Cup in Warendorf Pamela Hendry; current Aussie Barras Captain and member of the QLD Sharks and Port Hacking Lifeguard Club broke the World Record in the Women's 100 metre Manikin Carry with fins.

Australia's Male and Female Lifesaver of the Meet will also be announced during the Championships. The Australian Pool Life Saving Championships are supported by LAERDAL.

The Championships is taking place from today (Thursday 16th January) until Saturday 18th January at the Australian Institute of Sport Aquatic Centre in Canberra.

Live Facebook and Twitter updates are available throughout the championships.

For more information go to www.royallifesaving.com.au/

23rd June 2009 - AUSSIES WIN COMMONWEALTH POOL LIFESAVING CHAMPIONSHIPS