By Matthew Sims
A number Altona Life Saving Club and Williamstown Swimming and Lifesaving Club representatives took home a slew of medals at the state Victorian senior and junior Pool Lifesaving Championships recently.
Held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Sunday, September 4 and Sunday, September 11, the senior and junior championships saw representatives from life saving clubs from across the state compete across a range of skills, from line throw events to manikin carry races.
Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay’s results across the senior and junior championships included:
* Heath Corry – Altona – first place in the under 17 men’s super lifesaver race, the under 17 men’s 100-metre rescue medley event, the under 17 men’s 100-metre manikin carry with fins race, the under 17 men’s 200-metre obstacle race, the under 17 mixed 4×50-metre obstacle relay and the under 17 mixed 4x50m medley relay;
* Ashton Corry – Altona – first place in the under 12 men’s 100-metre manikin carry with fins and under 12 men’s 10-metre line throw;
* Noah Chapple – Williamstown – first place in the under 12 men’s 50-metre manikin carry and under 12 men’s 100-metre obstacle race; and
* Mieke Pretorious – Williamstown – first place in the under 11 girls’ line throw.
Life Saving Victoria aquatic sport manager said there was a “strong turnout” across both senior and junior championships.
“The senior athletes diving into the competition were the very same ones you see in the iconic red and yellow uniform during summer, which is another example of the dedication our lifesavers have to our movement, keeping people safe in, on and around Victorian waterways,” he said.
“Our junior athletes are not only the future of our sport, but also of our lifesaving service, when they qualify for their surf rescue certificate and begin patrolling as volunteers at age 13.”
