Junior Lifeguards shine at State Titles
The future lifesavers and lifeguards of WA participated in the Royal Life Saving Society WA Junior Lifeguard Club State Titles yesterday at HBF Stadium in Mount Claremont. The annual State Titles are designed to test the pool lifesaving skills that children have learnt at their respective Junior Lifesaving 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 around 80 members competed in the event, testing their skills in a format that recognised placegetters but aimed to ensure all participants enjoyed the experience! Junior Lifeguard Clubs travelled from all over the metropolitan area to attend; including representation from The Swim School WA (Ocean Reef, Merriwa and Wangara), Cannington Leisureplex, Ballajura Aquatic Centre, Mandurah Aquatic & Recreation Centre, Central Aquatic (Embleton), Kwinana Recquatic, Fremantle JLC, and Wanneroo Aquamotion.
A highlight of the day was the attendance of WA’s State Pool Lifesaving team, who assisted Royal Life Saving WA and HBF Stadium with the operation of the event, while also passing on their skills and knowledge in Pool Lifesaving to the participants.
The events that took place tested the children’s skills in rescue, accident prevention and emergency care; 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 received medals for their achievements including:
Under 8
Male – Zane Young (Redsharks Swimming & Lifesaving Club)
Female – Chloe Richards (Kwinana Recquatic)
Under 10
Male – Terry Lin (Cannington Leisureplex)
Female – Sofia Potts (The Swim School WA)
Under 12
Male – Mitchell Perry (Wanneroo Aquamotion)
Female – Hannah Young (Redsharks Swimming & Lifesaving Club)
Under 14
Male – Finn Van de Nadort (Central Aquatic)
Female – Sophie Baron-Hay (Redsharks Swimming & Lifesaving Club)
Open
Male – Ashley Blaquiere (Ballajura Aquatic Centre)
Female – Lily Moore (Fremantle JLC)
The Royal Life Saving Junior Lifeguard Club program is proudly supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
To get involved in the Junior Lifeguard Club contact Royal Life Saving Society WA on 9383 8200 or click the link below.
