Western Australian Lifesavers ready to shine at National Championships

15 athletes from lifesaving and swim clubs across Perth are travelling to Melbourne to compete in the 2023 Australian Pool Life Saving Championships, putting their skills, fitness and initiative to the test at a national level.

The inaugural Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships were held in 1987 in Alice Springs and remain a highlight of the Australian lifesaving sport calendar. The annual tournament consists of three days of pool lifesaving events combining an Under 16, Under 19, Open and Masters Competition.

Competitors can earn themselves a place in the ‘Aussie Barras’, Australia's National Pool Lifesaving team, to attend various international competitions throughout the year.

The WA team is flying out of Perth today, with competitions taking place over three days from tomorrow (19th January)

Zachary Brown will captain the team, under the guidance of WA State Coach Rebecca Cohen, who’s coached at a state and national level for more than a decade.

Looking forward to the event, Cohen noted “Nationals is an exciting racing opportunity for these athletes, with four competing for the first time. Many are in contention for selection for Australian Teams so they will be doing everything possible over the three days of competition to push for selection.”

The 15 athletes who secured a place in the WA team this year are;

Phoebe Ashworth - 19-year-old from Yangebup
Zachary Brown - 26-year-old from Wembley
Samson Connolly - 16-year-old from Hamilton Hill
Eleanor Flowers - 15-year-old from Trigg
Crystal Edwards - 20-year-old from Duncraig
Declan Hewlett - 17-year-old from Hocking
Harrison Hynes - 21-year-old from Rossmoyne
Adam Moore - 47-year-old from Palmyra
Ivy Moore - 18-year-old from Palmyra
Chalise Pratt - 21-year-old from Sorrento
Kate Rigoll - 15-year-old from Sorrento
Kelton Rothnie - 19-year-old from Como
Jake Smith - 25-year-old from Hillarys
Jaime Traeger - 17-year-old from Secret Harbour
Jurgens Wilson - 15-year-old from Carine

WA's State Pool Life Saving team is supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

Images: The Western Australian team - minus Eleanor Flowers - set to compete at the 2023 Australian Pool Life Saving Championships (top) and team captain Zachary Brown (below). Credit: Royal Life Saving WA.