Three young West Aussies competing in South Africa

Three young West Australians from the WA State Pool Lifesaving team are among 20 Aussies taking part in the Commonwealth Festival of Lifesaving today and tomorrow in Durban, South Africa.

Jake Smith, from the Breakers Swim Club at Craigie Leisure Centre, and who is also a swim coach at St Mary’s Anglican Girls School at Karrinyup, was a key member of our state team at the National Championships in January, bringing 4 silver and 2 bronze medals at the event, to earn his place in the Australian team.

He is joined by Madeline Thomson, also from Breakers Swim Club, and Madison Howe from Perth City Swimming Club, who each earned a place in the Australian Development squad with their performances at the National Championships.

The team is competing against 86 athletes from six other nations including England, Scotland, Canada, Mauritius, Hong Kong, and South Africa. Team events as part of the Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships are being conducted separately for those in the National and Development teams, while individuals will also compete in the Lifesaving Challenge.

Both amateur and experienced competitors are taking part from competing nations, testing core lifesaving and emergency skills. The National and Development Championships program includes traditional speed events, Manikin Tow, Manikin Carry and Super Lifesaver, while the Lifesaving Challenge events will include line throw, obstacles and individual Simulated Emergency Response Competition (SERC), testing an individual’s response to a simulated aquatic emergency.

Royal Life Saving Society WA wishes Jake, Madeline and Madison, along with all their Australian team counterparts all the best as they compete over the next two days.