State team set to take on the nation

10 athletes from Life Saving and Swim Clubs across Perth will head to Melbourne next week, to take part in the annual Australian Pool Life Saving Championships.

The Australian Pool Life Saving Championships have been conducted in various forms since 1965, and consist of 3 days of Pool Lifesaving competition, with events combining an Under 14 and Senior (Under 16, Under 19, Open and Masters) Competition.

Those competing have an opportunity to earn a place in Australia's National Pool Lifesaving team, the Aussie Barras, to attend an annual Training Camp and various selected International Competitions throughout the year.

WA’s representatives won their place in the state team after taking part in a series of Development Sessions during September and October 2016, before competing in the State Trials in November.

The athletes will compete in next week’s National Championships, from the 11th to 13th January, under the guidance of WA State Coach Sarah Hamilton, an accomplished athlete who's been a member of the WA and National teams in recent years.

Sarah says "the quality of the athletes at the trials was excellent and we want to thank all those who attended. Unfortunately not all of the athletes could be included in the team, but we'd encourage those who missed out to keep working on their skills and return next time around!"

The athletes who secured a place in the team include;

• Caitlin Brazil – age 13 - from Central Aquatic Swimming and Lifesaving Club Bayswater
• Jakson Egan - Trinity College Western Sprint Swim Club and Trigg Surf Club
• Maddi Howe – age 15 – from Perth City Swimming Club at Perth College Mount Lawley
• Trent Huzzard – age 15 - from Central Aquatic Swimming and Lifesaving Club Bayswater
• Lachlan Meldrum – age 16 – from Trigg Surf Club
• Felicity Metcalfe – age 16 – from Coogee Beach Surf Lifesaving Club
• Nathan Rogers – age 20 – from Central Aquatic Swimming and Lifesaving Club Bayswater
• Jake Smith – age 19 – from the Breakers Swim Club Craigie, Trigg Surf Club and is a Swim Coach at St Mary’s Anglican Girls School Karrinyup
• Madeline Thomson – age 16 – from Breakers Swim Club Craigie and Trigg Surf Club 
• Josh Windsor – age 19 – from Trigg Surf Club

We wish all members of our WA team the best as they prepare for the National Championships and compete next week.

WA's State Pool Life Saving team is supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation.

Royal Life Saving Society WA would like to see more young Western Australians learn pool lifesaving skills, by completing their Bronze Medallion or joining their local Pool Lifesaving club, as these skills are vital in a state like WA, where we enjoy so many aquatic activities as part of our climate and lifestyle.

To find out more about Pool Lifesaving click the link below.