Pool Lifeguard Challenge 2022
The 2022 Pool Lifeguard Challenge was held on Thursday 17th February at the Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre, with 14 teams from various aquatic centres across the metro area competing at the event. Armadale, which underwent a redevelopment in recent years, was a new venue for the event, which has been held annually for more than a decade.
The event, sponsored by the Leisure Institute of WA Aquatics, and facilitated by Royal Life Saving WA, aims to test the skills of lifeguards and encourages the continued improvement of lifeguard teams at aquatic centres across WA. LIWA Executive Officer Steve Good says the event is a highlight on the annual lifeguard calendar. “LIWA Aquatics is proud to partner with Royal Life Saving WA to host the Annual Pool Lifeguard Challenge. This event allows lifeguards to compete against other aquatic venues and provides an opportunity to fine tune their skills, develop great team bonds and industry connections and to affirm the importance of their role knowing that in an emergency their skills, knowledge and teamwork is able to save lives.”
Teams competing this year included Kwinana Recquatic, HBF Arena, Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre (2 teams), Fremantle Leisure Centre, Leisurefit Booragoon, Beatty Park Leisure Centre (2 teams), and City of Canning Leisureplex (2 teams), Wanneroo Aquamotion, Aqua Jetty Warnbro, and Cockburn Arc (2 teams). Under current State Government COVID-19 mandates the event looked a little different to previous years, as we used it to enable teams to integrate COVID protocols from their respective aquatic centres while performing in their events.
The day began with a team 50m swim and 50 metre manikin tow followed by a Throw Rope Bag event where teams had to work in pairs to recover a teammate from the water using a throw rope. Event three saw the teams showcase their skills in working together to rescue a patient from the water and resuscitate them.
Events four to seven were held simultaneously across the venue, testing teams’ fitness, knowledge, communication, and teamwork skills. Part of this event was to enable teams to show how they undertake all tasks in a safe manner for the current COVID-19 climate.
The teams showed fantastic skill in their response to the incidents thrown their way and appreciated the feedback from the judges on areas that could be improved in future. At the end of the day the top three teams were: Leisurefit Booragoon in third place, Beatty Park Leisure Centre #2 in second place, while Beatty Park Leisure Centre #1 took out first place!
Royal Life Saving Society WA would like to congratulate all the competing teams for their performances this year and we look forward to seeing each of them return in 2023. We’d also like to thank the Leisure Institute of WA Aquatics for their continued support of the Pool Lifeguard Challenge, an invaluable event which ensures the continued development of lifeguarding in WA. We hope all competitors return to their centres with a new sense of the importance of the role they play in keeping aquatic centre patrons safe as they enjoy water activities.