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News and special events related to RLSSport Pool Lifesaving.
What's On
RLSSA Sport Event Calendar (12KB) - July 2008 to June 2009
Grand Prix 2 is just around the corner
The second Grand Prix meet for the 2008/09 season will be held at Sutherland Pool in the south of Sydney on 11 October.
This event will kick off the summer competition season leading up to the 2009 Australian Pool Life Saving Championships which are to be held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra from the 14 to the 17 January.
Australia's leading pool lifesavers will be in action at the grand prix meet, including those who have recently returned from the 2008 World Life Saving Championships in Germany. Leading the charge will be world championship gold medallists, Andrew Bowden, Sarah Windsor and Mitch Parkes plus a number of world championship medallists including twins Scott and Andrew Fisher, Jane Cooper and Luke Harper.
A feature of the Grand Prix meet will be representation of Royal Life Saving Australia's development teams including the the U19 national team known as the Silver Barra's and the U16 national team known as the Junior Barra's. The development teams will be competing along side the national open team, the Aussie Barra's, which will surely see some some very exciting races and close finishes as the up and coming stars of the sport of pool lifesaving try to beat the current champions.
Following the grand meet will be the Australian Short Course Pool Life Saving Championships on Sunday 12 October. This event has become a feature on the national pool lifesaving calender and will soon be introduced into the Commonwealth Pool Life Saving Championship program.
Pool Lifesaving Rescue Manikins - For Sale Now only $200
Pool Lifesaving Rescue Manikins $200 plust GST plus freight. See order form for further details. Pool Lifesaving Rescue Manikin order form (374KB)
NSW State Championships
Day one of the the 2008 NSW RLSSA Pool Life Saving Championships was held on 16 March at the Engadine Leisure Centre, which is located approximately 30km south of the Sydney CBD.
The weather was at its best with the sun shining and temperatures reaching the high 20's. Approximately 100 competitors ranging from 7 years to the late sixties competed in a range of pool lifesaving events which included modified competition for competitors under 13 years of age and masters over the age of 45 years.
The day featured some outstanding racing from RLSSA's current leading competitors including Feysia Konakoff, Jane Cooper, Ben Orford, Blake McCrindle, Adrew Bowden and Mitch Parkes, whilst the next generation of the sport's up and coming stars including Mitch Hartman, Andrew and Scott Fisher, Matt McLennan, Jess Walker, Emily Mathison, Kailah Elliott, Jemma Aziz all showed the skills and technique required that will make them very successful in the future.
If one individual performance had to be singled out it would be Andrew Bowden's winning time of 32.72 seconds in the 50 metre manikin carry. The relay performance of the day most definitely was Port Hacking Lifeguards come from behind in the last leg to win the 8 x 50 metre fin relay. The final leg by Andrew Fisher demonstrated his ability as Australia's leading pool lifesaving fin swimmer.
With the first day of competition over, all thoughts move forward to the 6 April 2008 when the second day of the 2008 State Championships will be held at the Hills Aquatic Centre. The events on this day will include the Super Life Saver, Line Throws, the remaining relay events and the indivividual and team initiative events.
Australia / China Test Match Sunday 20 January 2008
The Royal Life Saving Society's National Team affectionately known as the Aussie Barra's competed in the inaugural Test Match against the Chinese Life Saving Team on Sunday 20 January 2008 following the completion of the 2008 Australian Pool Life Saving Championships at the Caboolture Aquatic Centre in Queensland.
The competition between the two nations was extremely exciting with the events being conducted in a match racing format between the leading male and female competitors from each country. The highlights of the test match included Pamela Hendry's amazing victory in the female 100m manikin tow in one of the fastest times ever swum by an Australian in that event and Australia's sensational time in winning the women's 4 x 25m manikin relay.
At the completion of the test match, team members from both countries gathered at the presentation area where Mr Jin Zhi of Chinese Life Saving gave a very heart warming speech about relations between both organisations and Mr Gray Parkes, Director Of Sport, presented the "Greg McLennan Trophy" to the winner of the test match, the Aussie Barra's.
The quality of competition between the two nations was well received by the crowd who attended the test match and the victory by the Aussie Barra's reinforced Royal Life saving's standing as one of the leading pool lifesaving organisations in the world. The Aussie Barra team members along with the Chinese competitors competed in the test match after four days of arduous competition at the 2008 Australian Pool Life Saving Championships and backed up to swim some extraordinary times given the fatigued condition they were in. After discussions with a number of the Aussie Barra's team, comments were heard, including, "once you put on the Australian cap you are there to win no matter how you feel" and "competing for the Aussie Barra's means everything to me, I wasn't going to let the team down". This display of pride in representing the Aussie Barra's emphasises the team spirit and comraderie that currently exists in this outstanding team.
Congratulations to the Aussie Barra's and well done to the Chinese team for a great competition.
China_V_Aust_Test_Match_Results.pdf (13KB)
Aussie Barras First Effort in International German Cup Rewarded with a Third Place Overall
The Aussie Barra's put in an absolutely amazing performance to finish third overall in their first ever German Cup International Pool Lifesaving competition held on the 24/25 November in Warendorf Germany. The pointscore system used in this competition is unique in the world of pool lifesaving and incorporates winning points based on times swum over a minimum of four events per competitor. In addition to this, relay times are also included in the overall pointscore.
The exciting news for RLSSA is the women's team finished in 2nd place in the overall women's pointscore and not to be outdone the men's team also finished in 2nd place. The aggregate of total points however placed the Aussie Barras in 3rd place only 18 points behind second place and 430 points behind the overall champions, Germany.
"This is an excellent result for Australia's Pool Lifesavers," said RLSSA Director of Sport, Gray Parkes, "It comes hot on the heels of our wins at the 2006 Commonwealth Pool Lifesaving Championships and the 2007 Asia Pacific competition held in Singapore last August."
There were a number of amazing individual performances by members of the team and by our relay teams. The individual performances included a silver medal to Mitch Parkes in the 100m carry in the fastest time ever recorded by an Australian, Jesse Brown winning the bronze medal in the women's 200m super lifesaver behind Prelle from Italy, arguably the world's best female pool life saver and Andrew Bowden's sensational times in the men's 50m manikin carry and 100m medley which places him as the leading Australian in these events. The outstanding relay performance by the Aussie Barras during the competition was the men's 4 x 50m medley relay in which the team of Andrew Bowden, Ben Orford, James Cohen and Mitch Parkes won the silver medal behind the current world record holders of New Zealand.
Special mention must also be made of the performances of our team manager and team coach, Jeannie Baxter-Reid and Tony Stanley. This tour was their first major competition as manager and coach of the Aussie Barras and proved once again that RLSSA is one of the leading organisations in the world in the development of team management. Also, one of Australia's leading pool lifesaving officials attended the competition in the capacity of the team official. Annie Gardiner represented RLSSA with distinction which is supported by her recent appointment to the position of SERC Deputy Referee at the upcoming 2008 World Life Saving Championships to be held in Germany next July.
The team was:
Sarah Windsor QLD (Captain) Chris Timms WA (Captain)
Jesse Brown WA James Cohen WA
Pamela Hendry QLD Ben Orford NSW
Felysia Konakoff NSW Mitch Parkes NSW
Jane Cooper NSW Andrew Bowden NSW
WELL DONE AUSSIE BARRAS
German Cup results
Australia's Top Officials nominated for 2008 World Championships
Two of Royal Life Saving Society Australia's leading Officials have been nominted to key positions at Rescue 2008, the World Lifesaving Championships to be held in Berlin (pool events) and Warnemunde (ocean events), Germany. Rescue 08 begins on 20 July 2008 and concludes on 2 August 2008. Congratulations to both and we wish them the very best of luck and know they will represent RLSSA with great ability.
SERC Interclub: Deputy - Anni Gardiner (Australia)
Interclub Pool: Deputy - Barbara Morgan (Australia)
Australasian Masters Games 2007 - Adelaide
The Australasian Masters Games was held in Adelaide on the 8th and 9th October 2007. It was a huge success with many thanks to the officials and volunteers who put in enourmous personal effort and time to make it the event it was. By all accounts Pool Lifesaving proved an increasingly popular sport with the event bigger and better than the Games held in 2005 and an approximate 60% increase in entries. Pool Lifesaving had competitors in every age category ranging from 25-34. 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65+. Barbara Pearce and Jenny Whitely, current World Champions and former World Champion Rebecca Crack all competed over the 2 days with many past Australian Representatives also taking on the challenge. Results from the 2 days can be found by clicking on the links below.
2007_AMG_Pool_Lifesaving_results_Day_1.pdf (15KB)
2007_AMG_Pool_Lifesaving_results_Day_2.pdf (13KB)
2007_AMG_Pool_Lifesaving_Complete_Results.pdf (45KB)
Aussie Barra team for German Cup 07 selected
The RLSSA Australian Representative team to compete at the 2007 German Cup in Warendorf, Germany from 22-25 November has been announced. They are:
Males
Chris Timms WA, Ben Orford- NSW, James Cohen -WA, Andrew Bowden - NSW, Mitchell Parkes - NSW
Females
Sarah Windsor - QLD, Felysia Konakoff - NSW, Jane Cooper - NSW, Jessica Brown - WA, Pamela Hendry - QLD
MANAGER: Jeannie Baxter-Reid QLD COACH: Tony Stanley NSW
RLSSA WINS 2007 ASIA PACIFIC POOL LIFESAVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Royal Life Saving Society Australia (RLSSA) continued to display their leadership in the sport of pool lifesaving with a nail biting victory in the 2007 Asia Pacific Championships held on Sunday 5 August in Singapore. Japan gained second place and China was third. What makes this victory even more astounding is RLSSA was represented in this championship by the Silver Barra's Team which is the national U19 development team. All other countries were represented by their open national teams.
RLSSA's athlete development program implemented five years ago has proven to be an outstanding success with the majority of this current U19 Silver Barra's Team being involved in the program from the U14 National Development Championships and moving through the National U16 Junior Barra's Team.
RLSSA leadership in the sport of pool lifesaving continues to grow which is clearly demonstrated by:
- An RLSSA club, Port Hacking Lifeguards, being the current World Club Pool Life Saving Champions after their success in Rescue 2006.
- The RLSSA National Team, the Aussie Barra's, being the current Commonwealth Pool Life saving Champions after victory in the Championships in Bath, England 2006.
- The RLSSA Silver Barra's winning the 2007 Asia Pacific Pool Life Saving Championships in Singapore.
The RLSSA Pool Life Saving Grand Prix Series leading the world by offering $10,000 in prizemoney for RLSSA athletes. - RLSSA implementing short course pool lifesaving competition to provide greater access to the sport for athletes across Australia.
Talent Identification Squad 2007
22 of Australia's leading pool lifesavers came together over the 13/14/15 July 2007 at Ryde Sydney as part of RLSSA's Talent Identification Program.
This squad underwent training in pool lifesaving skills and techniques under the watchful eye of National Coach Tony Stanley and participated in various activities including a very entertaining seminar with Mark Tonelli, a member of Australia's 4 x 50m medley gold medallist team at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.
This squad is part of RLSSA's strategic sports plan to ensure Australia remains the No.1 lifesaving nation at the upcoming World Lifesaving Championships in Germany July 2008.
Grand Prix Event II
The second RLSSA Grand Prix meet for the 2007/08 season was conducted at Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre on 14 August 2007. This event which is sanctioned by the International Life Saving Federation and remains the only pool lifesaving event in the world with prize money. The event was an outstanding success with approximately seventy open competitors competing for $10, 000 in prize money.
RLSSA's Talent Identification Squad participated with great enthusiasm during the meet as this was the last opportunity to impress the National Selectors before the RLSSA Aussie Barra's team was selected to compete in the 2007 German Cup this coming November.
The RLSSA Aussie Barra's team are the current Commonwealth Lifesaving Champions and will be competing in the 2007 German Cup for the first time.
Inaugural 2007 Short Course APLSC
RLSSA again continued to pave the way for the sport of pool lifesaving in Australia with the introduction of the inaugural Pool Life Saving Championships at Ryde Pool on the 15 July 2007.
This event proved extremely popular wih competitors of all ages with very quick races and exceptional skills being displayed. Another aspect of this competition was the excitement aspect for the crowd with very close finishes across the pool occurring in nearly every race.
This event will become a highlight on the pool lifesaving calender in Australia and will continue to ensure athletes are provided with access to world class competitions which are conducted by Australia's leading specialist pool lifesaving officials.
Summer Season 06/07 Begins
NSW Branch kicks off the 06/07 summer competition season.
The 2006/07 NSW pool lifesaving carnival program has kicked off with great success over the past couple of weeks. The Woronora Life Saving Club conducted its annual river carnival mid November to open the season and on the 3 December. The Hills Life Saving Club attracted a record number of 86 competitors to its carnival. On the same day the 2007 NSW Team attended the opening day of the Parramatta Lake and proudly represented RLS NSW in the official ceremonies.
The next carnival for NSW competitors is scheduled to take place on Sunday 10 December at Engadine Leisure Centre in which it is anticipated that well over 100 participants will be involved.
Barb Morgan - Official of the Year : posted 08/11/06
Barbara Morgan from Victoria has been awarded the Vic Sport Official of the Year recently in an award ceremony. She was among a group of highly respected officials from across a range of sports within Victoria. Congratulations Barb.
RLSSA Officials Training /Athlete development in India : posted 06/11/06
Rozlynn Grey (NSW) and Rebecca Crack (SA), 2 long standing members of RLSSA travelled to India recently to hold an Officials Pool Lifesaving Training Course and Coaching Clinic and to assist in the conduct of the 4th National Life Saving Sports Meet held in Kolkata and Digha Beach. The programme co-hosted by Rashtriya Life Saving Society and the Indian Life Saving Society saw Roz and Rebecca impart various training and competition drills in lifesaving techniques for Officials, Coaches and athletes over 10 days. Well done girls.
RLSSA Pool Lifesaving Grand Prix : posted 12/09/06
The entry form for the upcoming RLSSA Pool Life Saving Grand Prix in Adelaide 11/12 November 2006 is now available.The inaugural Pool Life Saving Grand Prix is a world first for the sport of pool life saving with a total prize pool of $10 000.Be a part of the exciting sport of pool life saving and compete with the world champions from RLSSA.
See the sport link on this website for all details.
Barbara Morgan in China : posted 30/08/06
Our current Chief Referee, Barbara Morgan has just returned from conducting a Level One RLSSA coaching and officiating course for 130 participants in China Taipei. Barb says it was an extremely successful course with 129 participants completing both RLSSA qualifications. With the World Games coming up in 2009 they wanted to provide their members with the appropriate qualifications to conduct the International competition.
Officials course in Darwin : posted 30/08/06
Officials coordinator, Anni Gardiner ran a RLSSA Level One officials course for participants in Darwin, Northern Territory over the weekend. It was the first current officials course run in Darwin. Participants were very happy with the course and are looking forward to gaining some practical experience at the coming Grand Prix in Adelaide and the Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships in January in Perth.
A coaching clinic for a number of junior athletes from Darwin was also conducted by National Sport Development Officer, Penny Hodgers. We are looking forward to seeing them at the Grand Prix and Australian Championships.
Stephen Parkes - Australian Swimming : posted 15/07/06
Congratulations to Stephen Parkes from the RLSSA UBS Port Hacking LIfeguards Clubs in New South Wales who recently made the Australian Swim Team for the Junior Pan Pac Championships in Hawaii. Good Luck Stevie!
Andrew Beato - Open Water Swimming : posted 09/05/06
Andrew Beato, a member of the UBS/ Port Hacking World Champion Pool Life Saving Team has recently been selected in the Australian Open Water Swimming Team to compete in the 2006 World Open Water Swimming Championships to be held in Naples, Italy this coming August.
The selection in this team was the result of his performance at the recent Australian Open Water Championships. Andrew will be contesting the 5km event in Naples.
Congratulations to Andrew and we wish him all the best at the World Championships.
UBS Port Hacking Lifeguards : posted 09/05/06
The RLSSA UBS Port Hacking Lifeguard team from Sydney, New South Wales won the World Championships in the pool at the recent World Lifesaving Championships held in February 2006. It is the first time a RLSSA Club has won the point score in the pool. Congratulations to UBS Port Hacking and all the athletes that contributed to this enormous achievement
