TOP PERFORMANCES BY WEXFORD LIFESAVERS
TEAMS from Leeds, Kilkenny, Cork and Wexford took part in the 32nd annual Wexford International Lifesaving Competition which recently took place at Ferrybank Swimming Pool.
The competition has been hugely successful over the years due to its originality and the commitment of the many volunteers who train and bring teams to the event year after year.
Lifesavers from Leeds, who have come for almost 30 years supporting the annual competition, brought over 20 young people to compete.
Teams from Kilkenny and Cork joined the Wexford teams to make it a super day, with great competion at both Senior and Junior level.
The Senior Competition prize, The Gus Byrne Perpetual Trophy, was kept in Wexford this year after many years away from home. The Mighty Ducks, Neil Beaver, Seán Maher, Corey Mahon, and Anna O’Gara, were presented with the trophy by Nancy Byrne.
The Junior Competition prize, The Jim Ffrench Trophy, and was awarded by Colette Allen, a long-standing volunteer with Wexford Water Safety to the Courtown Sharks – John Milne, Ross O’Loughlin (captain) and Priya Daly O’Toole.
Mayor Cllr Jim Moore attended the opening of the day, meeting competitors, volunteers, instructors and examiners and stayed to watch the first event, the Search and Rescue emergency scenario – where each team get a brief of a staged incident with live subjects and have to deal with the situation and make rescue.
The rope throw and tow is one of the most exciting elements to watch as it is a high-pressure situation again for competitors and it takes so much perseverence if things go wrong, but no one gives up.
The relay rope throw with four-member teams is the ultimate in high pressure with all competitors taking their turn to ensure their team gets the highest marks they can.
The speed carry the last item of the competition is at the end of a long competition and takes all that the participating competitors have to give.
With the competition finished, the dinner took place, attended by Deputy Mayor Cllr Lisa McDonald, who complimented all those who took part as competitors and organisers.
Wexford Water Safety is the voluntary arm of Irish Water Safety and our training of all our citizens in swimming, lifesaving and basic life support is a year round task, undertaken by our dedicated volunteers.
The summer programme covers June, July and August each year and our successful participants receive certification and if they continue they can progress into the Life Guard ranks.
The sport of surf lifesaving has become very popular around the country and Wexford Water Safety will host the Senior Competition on Curracloe Beach, showcasing the talents of our finest competitors from all over the country, on September 1, 2018. The programmes can be found at wexfordwatersafety.ie and on Facebook.