Royals team set to go the extra mile at Lake Argyle

Hours of swim training and dedication to achieving aquatic industry qualifications has paid off for a team of young Pilbara based Aboriginal Lifeguards, who will compete in an iconic event next month.

These Lifeguards form the backbone of Royal Life Saving Society WA's team that is participating in the upcoming Lake Argyle swim, which is held in May each year. The current squad of swimmers and support crew is made up of Royal Life Saving participants from around the state, including:

• Vaughan Davies – RLSSWA Board Member & Assistant Director General of the Dept of Planning, Lands & Heritage 
• Greg Tate – RLSSWA General Manager Community Relations
• Pida Bule-Turner – RLSSWA’s Talent Pool Coordinator
• Evenis Doolah – Pool Lifeguard
• Lashonte Whitby – Pool Lifeguard
• Jermarl Daly – Pool Lifeguard
• Tanae Scott – Pool Lifeguard
• Courtney Charles – Pool Lifeguard
• Shelika Cameron – Pool Lifeguard
• Maliriko Bule-Turner – Pool Lifeguard
• Trevor Caporn – Fitzroy Crossing Pool Manager
• Adele Capron – Fitzroy Crossing Pool Assistant Manager

The concept of participating in this iconic Western Australian event was first discussed with Glenn Taylor - the Lake Argyle Swim Event Manager - in 2017, and quickly became a reality when graduates of Royal Life Saving WA's Port Hedland Talent Pool program put their hands up to join the team.

The swim team will be ably supported by the impressive open water swim experience of Vaughan Davies and Greg Tate, who have between them completed numerous Rottnest Island Channel Swim events, The Lake Argyle Swim and a number of Ironman events.

Rounding out the team with logistics and event day support is the management team from the Fitzroy Crossing Remote Swimming Pool - Trevor and Adele Caporn - and Tim Turner, a representative from the Department of Communities’ Regional Services Reform Unit.

Whilst participation in this uniquely Western Australian event will be a big enough highlight for all participants, it is the process of bringing together a team of Royal Life Saving personnel and Stakeholders from all corners of the state that is the biggest achievement.

Greg Tate, Royal Life Saving WA's General Manager Community Relations, says this experience is the culmination of the organisation’s work in ensuring that Western Australians are empowered to be safe when they are in, on or around water. “We really hope that through the experience of this year’s Lake Argyle team members, other young Aboriginal people throughout the Pilbara, Kimberley and beyond will be inspired to train and participate in future events like this” Mr Tate says.

More information on Royal Life Saving WA's Talent Pool program can be found at the link below:

You can read more about Royal Life Saving WA's Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool program at the link below: