Sligo Surf Lifesaving is a vital and enjoyable aspect of water safety
In her latest article on Sligo Water Safety, Lisa Dunne talks about the importance of Sligo Surf Lifesaving
SLIGO Surf Lifesaving is the sport element of Sligo Water Safety. Participants, aged eight and upwards, learn many lifesaving skills both in the surf/open water (summer months) and the pool (winter months).
The sport of lifesaving began in Australia where the beach lifestyle is very important. Today many countries around the world have a surf lifesaving programmes and competitions for all ages.
There are different age categories in the sport of lifesaving. The age categories are Nippers (ages 8-14), Juniors (ages 14-18), Seniors (ages 16+) and Masters (ages 30+).
There are regional and national surf and pool lifesaving competitions held annually in Ireland. The competition locations rotate annually within the province and the country. Sligo Water Safety were privileged to host both the regional and national surf lifesaving competitions at Mullaghmore beach in August 2019. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, there was no surf lifesaving training or competitions in the summer of 2020. Starting from the beginning of June through to mid-August, members of Sligo Surf Lifesaving will be training weekly at Rosses Point beach.
While there is usually a competition in August to test out the skills learnt against other county teams, this is unlikely to happen this summer due to the government’s Covid19 regulations.
Nevertheless, the surf lifesaving skills of swimming, use of boards and skis, water rescues and beach running will be taught and honed over the summer months.
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 and Master age group 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. Different events make up the regional and national Surf Lifesaving competitions. These include a swim race, surf ski race, board race, board rescue, beach relay, beach flags and a swim with fins.
Sligo Surf Lifesaving promotes the development of such lifesaving skills in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. Teamwork and friendship are integral to the club.
Awareness of safety in and around the water is taught to all participants while they gain confidence with their lifesaving skills.
New members of
Sligo
Surf
Lifesaving Club must complete a water assessment of swim ability in advance of joining the summer progamme to make sure that they are comfortable in the sea. This is strictly in the interest of safety of all new members. Recently over 40 new members completed such a test.
Pool lifesaving skills are taught during the winter months and, again, participants can take part in regional and national competitions which test speed and lifesaving skills.
The pool lifesaving events are different to the open water surf
BOARD RACE: Action from a surf lifesaving event. lifesaving events. Some of the pool events include a maniken carry and tow, an obstacle course, line throw, tube rescue and various relay combinations in the pool.
Like the open water surf lifesaving events, vital lifesaving skills are learnt in a fun environment.
The sport of lifesaving is growing in Ireland year on year. As would be expected, many of the coastal counties are the strongest in the open water surf lifesaving competitions. Sligo Surf Lifesaving has been successful on the national competition stage. It also has members who have represented Ireland on the international competition stage.
Sligo Surf Lifesaving looks forward to the summer training season and seeing participants enjoying the sea safely while gaining new lifesaving skills.