Future Lifesavers compete in Junior Lifeguard Club State Titles
The 2019 Junior Lifeguard Club (JLC) State Titles were held last Sunday 9th June at HBF Arena in Joondalup. The event saw 75 competitors from 17 clubs around Perth come together to compete in modified pool lifesaving events, testing their skills against their peers in a fun and exciting environment.
The Junior Lifeguard Club program aims to increase children’s participation in swimming & lifesaving activities. It is an aquatic education alternative to traditional swimming lessons for kids who want to combine their passion for swimming with the ability to learn new lifesaving skills.
Trent Hotchkin, Senior Manager Swimming and Water Safety Education at Royal Life Saving WA says “Whilst we ensure the activities are great fun and offer new experiences for the children, they also have a serious outcome of educating the children in essential lifesaving skills that may one day save a life. The program provides a pathway from grass roots participation through to elite competition for those who would like to continue down the competitive path of pool lifesaving”
The 17 clubs who competed on the day included Cannington Leisureplex, Central Aquatic Swimming and Lifesaving Club, Cottesloe SLSC, Fremantle JLC, Kwinana Recquatic, Lozswim, Mandurah Aquatic Centre, Quinns Mindarie SLSC, Red Sharks Academy, Scarboro SLSC, Secret Harbour SLSC, Swan Active Ballajura, Swan Active Beechboro, Swan Active Midland, The Swim School WA, Wanneroo Aquamotion and West Lifesaving. A special mention for Emily and Jemma Dunham who travelled further than anyone else on the day, making their way to Joondalup from Boddington to represent their JLC club Mandurah Aquatic Centre!
Events conducted on the day tested the children’s skills in rescue, accident prevention and emergency care; teaching skills that will save lives and last a lifetime. These events included swimming with obstacles, rescue tube relay, mannikin carry and line throw relay.
Several ribbons and medals were given out after the events, with the overall age group winners receiving trophies. These included:
- Under 8’s female – Natasha Barnes-Drury
- Under 8’s male – Troy Kingma
- Under 10’s female – Ruby Kingma
- Under 10’s male – Boh Dobson
- Under 12’s female – Tamara Nelson
- Under 12’s male – Finn Knox
- Under 14’s female – Lily Tolev
- Under 14’s male – Bailey Alexander
- Open female – Phoebe Ashworth
- Open male – Finn Van De Nadort
A highlight of the day was the attendance of WA’s State Pool Lifesaving team, who assisted Royal Life Saving WA and HBF Arena with the operation of the event, while also passing on their skills and knowledge in Pool Lifesaving to the participants.
The Royal Life Saving Junior Lifeguard Club program and the sport of Pool Lifesaving is proudly supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. To find out more about how you can get involved in a Junior Lifeguard Club please click the link below.
