West Life Saving holds inaugural pool lifesaving carnival

Hundreds of athletes and spectators descended on the Trinity College pool on Sunday 26th May for an action-packed afternoon at the inaugural West Life Saving Carnival. The event showcased the talent of lifesavers of all ages, with a total of 215 athletes competing in a range of events that tested their physical fitness and lifesaving abilities.

West Life Saving is a pool lifesaving club supported by Royal Life Saving WA that offers training and competition pathways for members of swimming and lifesaving clubs. The age groups for the carnival included Under 11, Under 13, Under 15, Open and 35+ for both males and females.

Competition events included an Obstacles Sprint, Manikin Carry, Freestyle with Fins, Tow Rescue and a Mixed-age Relay among others. Competitors had a great time racing in the various events throughout the day and were cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd.

The carnival atmosphere was in full swing and there was plenty happening both in and out of the pool. Club regulars and officials were getting in on the fun, with Craig Ashworth (pictured right with Jonnine Rowe) sporting a ‘Where’s Wally?’ costume among the crowd — although he wasn’t too hard to spot in the distinctive red and white stripes!

The crowd was kept entertained by MC and DJ Hayden Marcetto, with spectators also enjoying a sausage sizzle, barista coffee van and a stack of raffle prizes worth over $4,000.

Jonnine Rowe, Royal Life Saving WA Sport Coordinator, says the funds raised “will go back into coaching resources for the club, and obtaining and training additional coaches to keep up with the growth of the sport.”

The day was a huge success with the club receiving plenty of positive feedback from those who attended. A team of officials, volunteers and parents who helped with the event did a fantastic job to ensure the day ran smoothly. Events such as these help to generate excitement and build awareness of the sport and the young athletes involved. With the success of this first carnival, we hope to see many more pool lifesaving events to come!

To learn more about the sport of pool lifesaving, follow the link below.