Athletes showcase their skills at WA Pool Lifesaving Championships

It was all go at HBF Stadium on Sunday as more than 50 participants took part in the WA Pool Lifesaving Championships. This International Lifesaving Federation sanctioned event saw individuals aged eight years right through to masters compete in a range of lifesaving races and events.

The junior participants were excited to be able to receive valuable guidance and feedback from State Team Coach Andrew Ridley, who even got into the water to assist them. Events across the day included Manikin Carry with and without fins, Super Lifesaver, Manikin Tow with and without fins, Patient Tow with fins, Rescue Tube with fins, 50 metre swim with fins, Obstacles and Line Throw.

Awards will be given after the second weekend of competition, which is coming up on Saturday 23rd October, although junior participants did receive recognition and awards for their performance on Sunday in the form of the very popular Gold, Silver and Bronze Royal Life Saving ducks!

Another memorable part of the day saw three incredible members of the WA lifesaving community receive Royal Life Saving Honours Awards for their work in developing and promoting the sport of pool lifesaving in our state and across Australia. Jen Jones, Andrew Ridley and Craig Ashworth are all volunteers with the West Life Saving Club, who have gone above and beyond to assist us in this field.

Craig Ashworth received the WA Associate Award for sharing his expertise and passion for pool lifesaving with the next generation, inspiring our grassroots athletes, volunteering in various roles, including State team assistant coach and development coach, and at many of our carnivals and development sessions where he even entertains the athletes dressed in his ‘where’s Wally’ costume. He also commits hours to volunteering at pool lifesaving events as an official and organiser.

Jen Jones received the WA Associate Award for dedicating countless hours to volunteering, including managing the WA State Lifesaving Team for many years both over east and here in WA. She assisted with the smooth running of the Australian Pool Life Saving Championships held in Perth last year and was also instrumental in getting the West Lifesaving Club off the ground – now the largest club in WA. Jen has contributed many hours behind the scenes from putting together equipment, to rallying up volunteers, and organising lifesaving carnivals and events, including the current State Championships. She goes above and beyond to assist Royal Life Saving in growing the sport of pool lifesaving with much love and energy put in to the grassroot athletes and is a valued member of Royal Life Saving WA’s Sport Committee.

Andrew Ridley was the final valued member to receive the WA Associate Award at the weekend’s event, a strong advocate for pool lifesaving, who always promotes the lifesaving pathway to athletes through his own swim club. Andrew is a dedicated volunteer for Royal Life Saving, attending all our lifesaving events and sharing his knowledge and skills with both the WA and National Sport Committees. He has spent tireless hours coaching and developing our young athletes through to our elite team. He has been WA’s State Coach for the past three years training our State Team athletes for competitions and leading them to great success nationally and internationally. Andrew has been instrumental in the development of incredible young swimmers and lifesavers and thanks to him WA’s athletes rank as some of the best in Australia.

We thank all three of these incredibly talented and dedicated individuals for the amazing work they do in developing this important sport in our state and across the nation, and look forward to seeing the continued success of our pool lifesaving athletes under their guidance.

You can find out more about how you can get involved in the sport of Pool Lifesaving, including registrations for Day Two of the WA Pool Lifesaving Championships in October, at the link below.