Published: 11/07/2025
Lifeguard Challenges Help Lift Industry Standards
Pool Lifeguard Challenges are competitions run annually by Royal Life Saving Australia Member Organisations with the aim of highlighting and celebrating the top professional pool lifeguards across a given state or territory.
The events are designed to test the abilities and knowledge of teams of professional pool lifeguards in a fun and collaborative environment.
Teams of four lifeguards are entered into the events by their employer to participate on behalf of their aquatic facility.
In order to win a podium position, a team must successfully work together to overcome various scenarios that test their teamwork, communication, fitness and lifeguarding skills and knowledge.
The events provide pool lifeguards with an opportunity to practice essential lifesaving skills under the guidance of professional industry examiners. In addition, the skills learned through participating in the Pool Lifeguard Challenge greatly assist lifeguards to create safer aquatic facilities throughout Australia.
The teams are challenged in a variety of simulated scenarios, such as managing major incidents, a theory assessment, as well as race events in the pool including rescue tows, line throws and manikin relays.
Speaking of the events, Royal Life Saving National Manager – Lifesaving Development Brooke Cherfils said teams work together to overcome various scenarios that test their teamwork, communication and lifeguarding skills and knowledge.
“A podium finish at a Pool Lifeguard Challenge provides formal recognition of excellence in pool lifeguarding by the winning facilities,” said Ms Cherfils.
“The scenarios teams face are both difficult and realistic, and could easily occur at the participants’ own facilities. A variety of twists and complications are also introduced into the scenarios to make the situations even more challenging.”
Event information
A variety of events are available around Australia for pool lifeguard teams to enter.
To find out if there is an event for your facility to enter, please contact your Royal Life Saving State / Territory Office.
If you would like to express an interest in attending a national event, please contact Royal Life Saving Australia (national office) at bcherfils@rlssa.org.au
https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/utility-navigation/contact-us
Western Australia 2025 Event
17 teams from aquatic centres across WA came together for the 2025 Pool Lifeguard Challenge!
This year’s competition, hosted by the City of Mandurah Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre, showcased the skill, teamwork, and dedication of lifeguards striving to enhance their lifesaving abilities.
Sponsored by the LIWA Aquatics and facilitated by Royal Life Saving WA, the challenge not only tested critical lifeguarding skills but also fostered ongoing improvement and camaraderie within the industry.
Location / date: Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre, March 2025.
Congratulations to the top 3 teams:
- 🥇 City of Swan Swan Active – 1st place!
- 🥈 City of Canning – 2nd place
- 🥉 City of Stirling (Western Australia) Stirling Leisure Centre, Inglewood – 3rd place
Queensland 2024: Event
Location: Sleeman’s Sport Complex
Website: https://rlssq.com.au/landing/events/pool-lifeguard-challenge/
The top three results are as follows:
- First Place: Gold Coast
- Second Place: Sleeman Team 2
- Third Place: Sleeman Team 1
- Most Valuable Competitor: Brenden Elliott (Gold Coast)
Royal Life Saving Society Queensland extends gratitude to Sleeman Sports Complex for providing the event venue and support staff, Royal Life Saving Society – Australia for offering support staff and competitor equipment kits, and the staff from Royal Life Saving Society Queensland who assisted with event officiating and adjudication.
Royal Life Saving Society Queensland would also like to acknowledge the following individuals who contributed to the event’s success:
- Brooke Cherfils
- RLSSQ Staff
- and, of course, all the competitors
Victoria: 2024 Event
Date held: Thursday 25th July 2024
Location: Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre
Event summary: https://blog.lsv.com.au/2024/07/30/pool-lifeguard-challenge/
21 teams of pool lifeguards from across Victoria competed to be crowned the best of the best at the 2024 LifeTec Victorian Professional Pool Lifeguard Challenge at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
Congratulations to the top 3 teams:
- 1st Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre
- 2nd Maroondah Leisure
- 3rd Wynactive - Werribee Outdoor Pool
Operations Team Leader and competitor at Glen Eira Leisure, Samara Keifer, said the team came together in a solid performance.
“We put in 2 months of weekly training and had a lot of new people in the environment as well, so everyone was equally dedicated.
“We’ve had a lot of new members in the program this year, so it’s not like we have a team of people with six years’ experience coming in and knowing what game day looks like. We’re lucky to have a dedicated team, and everyone keeps stepping up and bringing the standard higher, and we’ve got good leadership too.”
Georgie Wark, Acting Operations Coordinator at Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre, said the build-up to the challenge has been great for team culture.
“It was good seeing the team have fun during the races and being so positive and working together.
“We put a lot of emphasis on our training schedule, and we do more than the required in-house training. We also brought the teams together with the development teams, so there was much cohesion among them.”
Join the 2025 LSV Pool Lifeguard Challenge
The 2025 Pool Lifeguard Challenge promises to be an exciting event, offering lifeguards opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge. Participants will receive real-time feedback on simulated scenarios, enabling them to respond calmly and effectively in emergencies. The event will also encourage discussions on internal training and upskilling, benefiting lifeguards and their teams.
Places are filling up fast, so don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with fellow lifeguards.
For more information, visit https://lsv.com.au/event/2025-pool-lifeguard-challenge/.
