HALF WAY THROUGH LIFESAVING SEASON

SLIGO Surf Lifesaving is mid-way through its summer training season at Rosses Point beach. The training sessions for the age categories of nippers (ages eight to 14) and juniors (ages 14 to 18) have been taking place weekly since the start of June.

Sligo Surf Lifesaving is the sport element of Sligo Water Safety. Participants from age eight upwards learn many lifesaving skills both in the surf and open water in summer months and the pool in winter months.

It is hoped that training sessions for the masters age group (over-30s) will commence soon. The nippers and juniors have been learning many surf lifesaving skills over the season. These include swimming, use of boards and skis, water rescues, beach running and flags. These skills are the core foundations for the skills needed to be a lifeguard. Several members of Sligo Surf Lifesaving are current or past lifeguards on the beaches of Sligo and further afield.

Many of the senior (age 16 plus) and master age members of Sligo Surf Lifesaving assist with the training of the nipper and junior age groups. It is fantastic to see the continued involvement of such members in coaching the younger participants.

There are no planned regional or national competitions this year due to Covid-19, but there is healthy competition weekly at the training sessions. While competitive, the sessions are fun and many new friendships have been formed.

So far, the weather has been favourable for the weekly sessions and hopefully this will continue for the remaining weeks of training. Sligo Surf Lifesaving is delighted with the enthusiasm and energy that the participants put into every training session.