Top lifesavers around the country are getting ready to compete in the annual Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships which tests competitor’s abilities in lifesaving. Each event directly simulates real situations and emergencies that lifesavers encounter.
The Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships are held every year in a different state across the country.
In honour of the 125th anniversary of the establishment of Royal Life Saving in Australia, the championships will be held in the state in which the Society was founded – New South Wales.
The championships will take place from Friday 11– Sunday 13 January at the Pymble Ladies College, Sydney.
Michael Ilinsky, CEO, Royal Life Saving Society - NSW said “The sport of lifesaving is a unique, challenging and enthralling spectator event. It is vital that we provide opportunities to showcase the sport and also to ensure individuals across the country have the ability to experience and participate in lifesaving activities.
“Royal Life Saving Society – NSW are delighted to host the 2019 Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships. This remarkable event sees the very best pool lifesavers getting together. It is always a very proud moment seeing the amazing dedication and athleticism.”
The Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships will see lifesavers compete in events including the Manikin Carry, Manikin Tow, Line Throw, Obstacle Swim and the Simulated Emergency Response Competition (SERC) – a timed event where lifesavers are tested on their initiative, judgement, knowledge and skills. All the events are based on rescuing a person who is in immediate danger.
There will be a battle between the states and territories who will be vying for the champion title. New South Wales will be working to retain the champion state title for the third time in a row following their wins in 2017 and 2018.
Athletes will also be aiming for selection in the Australian Lifesaving Team squad with the opportunity to represent Australia at the Lifesaving World Championships in Italy 2020.
The Australian Lifesaving Team recently won overall world champions in Adelaide at the Lifesaving World Championships. The Australian team managed to get ahead of the New Zealand Lifesaving team who had held onto the title for eight years.
Australian Life Saving Team Member, Mariah Jones, says she’s looking forward to nailing her skills at this year’s Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships.
“Coming off the back of LWC18, I have had a chance to rest and recover as much as I can, keeping the sessions now but focusing on keeping skills up to a high standard leading into APLSC. I’m excited to be racing with a great bunch of people again this year.”
Mariah says she was shocked but “very happy and proud” to be awarded Female Lifesaver of the Meet at the 2018 Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships. When asked if she was hoping to take out the top individual award for the third year in a row Mariah modestly say’s “I’m just going to try my best and have a go.”
Royal Life Saving will share live Facebook and Instagram updates throughout the championships using the hashtag #APLSC2019.
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