Splash Lifeguards do it again!
The eagerly anticipated National Pool Lifeguard Championships organised by the Institute of Qualified Lifeguards and, Institute of Sport and Recreation Management took place, at Stechford Cascades Leisure Centre in Birmingham. Tees Active Ltd “Team Splash” claiming an excellent Fourth position for the second year running. The six strong team of lifeguards came third in the Team Torpedo Buoy Rescue Relay and also in the Pool Emergency Incident. Amanda Taylor, Team Manager, said, “Splash has once again done remarkably well. The young squad of Lifeguards have giving up many hours of their spare time and shown true commitment to training, in order to reach such a high competitive standard. They were against the very best teams from all over Great Britain and Ireland and should be really proud of their achievement.” The team are as follows: Amanda Taylor, Team Manager, Hannah Williams, Natalie Horrocks, Jodie Sharp, Shane Hassall, Sean Kelly, and Luke Russell.
A total of fifteen teams of lifeguards battled to win the five heats. Their skills and life guarding knowledge were put to the test, based on skills taught in the RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ).
The first event was a rowing challenge, sponsored by Water Rower UK, designed to test physical fitness, communication, stamina and co-ordination of the whole team.
Module two consisted of a lifeguard skills check and incorporated techniques learnt in the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification. Modules three and four were an unknown first aid incident and an unknown emergency pool incident. Module five, the Torpedo Buoy Relay, was the final event that tested the lifeguards’ response stamina and speed.
The team from Birmingham were eventual winners but the Splash team have already started training for next year’s competition and are determined to be pushing for a top three finish.