Junior Lifeguards set to showcase skills at State Titles
This Sunday the future lifesavers and lifeguards of WA will participate in the Royal Life Saving Society WA Junior Lifeguard Club State Titles. The annual State Titles are designed to test the pool lifesaving skills that children have learnt at their respective clubs throughout the year, 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. The program is an opportunity for kids to join a club that will advance their aquatic skills, with an emphasis on fun while maintaining strong club feelings and loyalties.
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”
This year the Junior Lifeguard Club State Titles will be hosted at HBF Arena in Joondalup. We are expecting up to 100 members to compete, testing their skills in a format that will recognise placegetters but the emphasis will be on fun! Junior Lifeguard Clubs travel from all over the metropolitan area to attend; including representation from The Swim School WA (Ocean Reef), Cannington Leisureplex, Ballajura Aquatic Centre, Swan Park Leisure Centre, Kwinana Recquatic, Fremantle JLC, and Wanneroo Aquamotion.
Events conducted on the day test the children’s skills in rescue, accident prevention and emergency care; teaching skills that will save lives and last a lifetime. The events included the 50m Obstacle race, 50m Manikin carry, Rescue Tube Relay and 10m Rope Throw Relay. Overall winners of the day in each age group will receive medals for their achievements, and all participates can enjoy lunch at the end of the carnival while interacting with their peers from other Junior Lifeguard clubs.
A highlight of the day will be the attendance of WA’s State Pool Lifesaving team, to assist Royal Life Saving WA and HBF Arena with the operation of the event, as well as passing on their skills and knowledge in Pool Lifesaving to the participants.
The Royal Life Saving Junior Lifeguard Club program is proudly supported by the Department of Sport & Recreation. If you'd like to get involved in a Junior Lifeguard Club you can find out more at the link below!
