Taking on the world
WEXFORD’S surf lifesavers were honoured with a civic reception, marking their outstanding contribution to Ireland’s performance in the 2016 World SLS Championships in Holland.
The Wexford athletes helped the Irish Youths team to achieve a record ranking of 10th in the World, the highest ever performance by an Irish team.
Denise Bolger, along with Rosin Cahill, from Clare, set a new world record of 11.06 in the line throw. Denise, along with Georgina Steel, were part of the Irish relay team that took gold in the 4x 90m beach sprint relay. Denise is also ranked 5th in the World for the 90m beach sprint and 10th in the World for beach flags.
Georgina is ranked ninth in the world on the rescue tube relay.
Her brother Cameron, a member of the Irish Senior Team, was part of the relay team which set an Irish record for the 200m pool obstacle relay race. Cameron had many personal bests through the competition and achieved a world ranking of 6th in the rescue tube and 5th in the line throw.
Bill Milne, on the Irish Youths team, now ranks 15th place in the world for the open water ski race and is in the top 25 for the rescue board. Both Bill and Denise were part of the crew that took 6th in the World (SERC) simulated emergency response competition.
Bill also represented Ireland on both four man teams which took 11th place in the World for the Rescue tube race and which took 11th place for the manikin relay race in the pool.
Eoghan Mahon helped the Irish team to come 4th in the 4x90m beach sprint relay, 11th in the rescue tube race & 11th in the obstacle relay. All round personal bests gave Eoghan a stellar performance.
Wexford Water Safety is the home of local surflifesaving, the international sport of lifeguarding. It takes all the skills associated with pool and beach lifeguard work and uses them in competition. It’s a cross discipline sport requiring speed and strength on both land and water.
Wexford Water Safety Surflifesaving Coach Thelma Blehein said she was delighted and thrilled for the young athletes who represented their county so well.
‘Each of these young people are fantastic role models’, and so well deserve the mayors accolades. Aside from being top athletes, they are kind and well grounded individuals who continue to give time to Wexford Water Safety, and support to up and coming athletes in this sport,’ she said. TV set stolen A Blaupunkt television worth €300 was stolen from a house in Hazelwood, Bridgetown by smash-and- grab thieves who hurled a rock through the patio window. Gardai said nothing else was taken.