Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships

Conducted in various forms since 1965, the inaugural Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships (APLSC) were held in 1987 in Alice Springs and remain a highlight of the Australian lifesaving sport calendar, rotating to a new State or Territory each year.

The 2025 Championships will be hosted at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre from Thursday 16th January to Saturday 18th January 2025.

The APLSC brings athletes, teams, volunteers and staff together from across Australia for three days of competition both in the water (speed events) and out of water (initiative tests and CPR). While many compete for Championship titles, the APLSC also provide a unique opportunity for our Royal Life Saving members to come together in celebrating their extensive contributions to the lifesaving movement and friendships made along the way.

Individuals and teams vie for prestigious Championship trophies from Under 14 to Masters divisions, with each trophy named after a pivotal member of Royal Life Saving (UK and Australia) who helped support and teach others the importance of rescue skills that we still practice today.

From first-time pool lifesavers to lifeguards, from 'clubbies' to the Australian Lifesaving Team, the APLSC draws lifesavers from across Australia.

To participate in the Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships, competitors must hold a Bronze Star (15 years and under), Bronze Medallion or equivalent lifesaving award (Surf Rescue Certificate, Surf Bronze) and be a current financial member of Royal Life Saving or Surf Life Saving Australia.

Click here to view the full results from APLSC24

Key Dates

Competition Dates: Thursday 16 January - Saturday 18 January 2025

Call for Technical Officials Opens: Monday 23 September 2024
Call for Technical Officials Closes:  Sunday 8 December 2024

Registration Opens: Monday 23 September 2024
Early Bird Registration Closes: Sunday 22 December 2024
Late Registration Closes: Sunday 5 January 2025

Team Manager Entries Due: Sunday 29 December 2024

Thank you to Dave Rylance of Victoria who supplied our lead image for APLSC 2025.

See below for Championship Schedule and Functions

VENUE INFORMATION

Venue: Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre (SOPAC)
Address:
9 Olympic Blvd, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, NSW 2127
Venue Website: https://www.sydneyolympicpark.nsw.gov.au/aquatic-centre

Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre was the major venue for the 2000 Summer Olympics and has since been the home of performance swimming in New South Wales.

Aquatic facilities include a ten lane 50-metre competition pool (2m-3m in depth), an eight lane 50-metre training pool, a utility pool suitable for diving, water polo and synchronized swimming, as well as spas, sauna and a steam room.

The pool meets all ILS Facility Specifications and APLSC 2025 will be conducted as a sanctioned competition.

SOPAC

Officials

The Pool Lifesaving Championships wouldn't be possible without the volunteers who ensure the event runs smoothly. Whether it is timekeeping, judging, or providing assistance to the teams every volunteer gives their all during the championships.

Call for Technical Officials Opens: Monday 23 September 2024
Call for Technical Officials Closes:  Sunday 8 December 2024

All officials who register and have a current Working With Children Check (or equivalent from home State or Territory) will be allocated a role at the Championships. Early Technical Official registration will assist the Key Officials in assigning roles pre-competition.

Key Officials

Chief Referee: Joanne Teagle, LSV
CPR Coordinator: Mary Collins, LSV
SERC Coordinator: Brione Rundle, RLS SA
Equipment Coordinator: Brendan Watts, RLS SA

CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE for APLSC 2025

Updated 4 October 2024

DATE

WHAT’S ON

Tuesday
14th  January

Senior Officials Workshop
3:00pm-6:00pm
Location: Sydney Olympic Park (Room to TBA)
Registration: Free but registration required. Register via the online form here

Wednesday
15th January

Technical Officials' (Level 2) Workshop
9:00am-12:00pm
Location: Sydney Olympic Park (Room to TBA)
Registration: Free but registration required. Register via the online form here.

Meetings & Accreditation Pack Collection 
2:30-3:30pm: Coaches & Managers Meeting (Accreditation pack collection from 2:00pm)
3:45-4:30pm: Officials Meeting (Accreditation pack collection from 3:00pm)
Location: Meetings will take place at SOPAC in the Shane Gould Room

Thursday
16th January

Competition Day 1
7:45am-8:30am: Warm-up & Officials Briefing
9:00am: Opening Ceremony and March
9:30am-5:00pm: Competition Events - Speed and CPR
5:00pm: U14 Presentation and Welcome Function, Level 1 Concourse
6:30pm: Officials Function (Strathfield Gold Club - 52 Weeroona Rd, Strathfield NSW 2135)

Friday
17th January

Competition Day 2
7:45am-8:30am: Warm up
8:00am: Officials Briefing
9:00am-5:00pm: Competition Events - Speed, CPR and Simulated Emergency Response Competition (SERC)

Saturday
18th January

Competition Day 3
8:00am: Officials Briefing
7:45am-8:30am: Warm up 
9:00am-2:00pm: Competition Events - Speed 
6:30pm: Presentation Function (The Epping Club - 45-47 Rawsom St, Epping NSW 2121)

EVENT LIST FOR APLSC 2025

DAY 1: THURSDAY 16 JANUARY DAY 2: FRIDAY 17 JANUARY DAY 3: SATURDAY 18 JANUARY
U16, U19 and Open 200m Obstacles
U14 and Masters 100m Obstacles
U16, U19 and Open 4x50m Obstacle Relay 
U19 CPR Competition
U14 Manikin Tow
U16, U19, Open, Masters 12.5m Line Throw
U14 10m Line Throw
U16, U19, Open, Masters 100m Manikin Tow
U14 50m Manikin Carry
U16, U19, Open and Masters 100m Manikin Carry
U16, U19 and Open 4x25 Manikin Carry Relay
Open 100m Rescue Medley
U16 and Open CPR Competition
U16, U19 and Open SERC

U16, U19, Open and Masters 50m Manikin Carry
U16, U19 and Open 200m Super Lifesaver
U16, U19 and Open 4x50m Medley Relay
Open 8x50m Fin Relay
Open 4x50m Pool Lifesaver Relay

DEMO EVENT:  100m Super Lifesaver
(see Competitors page)

SANCTIONING

The Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships 2025 will be conducted as an ILS-sanctioned competition. Anti-doping testing will be on standby for youth and open world records.

The World Anti-Doping Code came into effect in January 2021. It is the responsibility of athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and support personnel to be aware of and understand their obligations under the Code. Further information and a summary of changes in the 2021 Code can be found on the Sport Integrity Australia website: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/anti-doping/2021-world-anti-doping-code

It is recommended that all Royal Life Saving members and APLSC participants complete the Anti-Doping Fundamentals online course (previously Anti-Doping Level 1). This course is free but requires registration to the Sport Integrity Australia e-learning platform (previous Sport Australia / ASADA / Play By The Rules credentials should work at login): https://elearning.sportintegrity.gov.au/login/index.php

RECORDS

Royal Life Saving recognises both RLSSA National Life Saving Records and Australian Pool Life Saving Championship Records for individual and relay speed events. Click here to view the current records (link coming soon).

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the event will be posted as it becomes available.

For any urgent questions, please contact Brooke Cherfils, National Manager - Lifesaving Development at the RLSSA National Office: sport@rlssa.org.au

Acknowledgement of Country
Royal Life Saving respectfully acknowledges the Wann Clan, known as the Wann-gal, the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships 2025 are taking place. We pay our respect to their Elders, both past and present. Royal Life Saving also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their Ancestors, recognising their continued connection to land, waters and communities where we conduct our business.