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Top lifesavers from around the nation are set to compete in the prestigious Australian Pool Life Saving Championships being held on the Gold Coast at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre from Thursday 14th to Saturday 16th January 2016.

Over 170 champion lifesavers from around the nation will be part of this major event that simulates real situations and emergencies. Competitors will be vying for selection in the Royal Life Saving Society - Australia’s three national representative teams - the Open Aussie Barras, the Under 19 Silver Barras and the Under 16 Junior Barras.

With disturbing figures showing drowning is still a major issue for Australia with inland waterways accounting for the largest number of drowning deaths, Royal Life Saving, Senior Project Officer Sport and Vocational Training, Ben Cuttriss believes that lifesavers are the nation's heroes and this event shines the spotlight on those heroes

Held every year, the Australian Pool Life Saving Championships features events that tests competitors' abilities in pool lifesaving, replicating situations and emergencies that lifesavers encounter.

Introducing the event, Cuttriss explains "this remarkable event sees the very best pool lifesavers getting together.

“Lifesavers are heroes across our nation. We can never afford to forget that."

"It is always a very proud moment seeing the amazing dedication. There is a very high standard of competition and athleticism. This event is a moment to stop and shine the spotlight on Aussie lifesaving heroes."

"Pool Lifesaving teaches everyone the skills that have and can save lives. It is very dynamic to watch and each event is based on potential real-life rescue scenarios."

Royal Life Saving National Sport Advisor Rob Reid comments “the Australian Pool Life Saving Championships will see lifesavers compete in events including the Manikin Carry, Manikin Tow, Line Throw, Obstacle Swim and the Simulated Emergency Response Competition (SERC) – a timed event where lifesavers are tested on their initiative, judgement, knowledge and skills.

“All the events are based on rescuing a person who is in immediate danger.”

This year sees the Royal Life Saving Society celebrate the 125th anniversary of its founding in the United Kingdom in 1891, with Australia set to reach that anniversary in 2020.

Reid adds “tough there is much to be proud of in the work that The Society undertakes globally in its efforts to reduce the terrible toll that drowning takes on families and communities, we should be no less proud in the achievements and developments in lifesaving that spring from the conduct of lifesaving as a sport.”.

The Australian Life Saving Team will compete in 2016 at the World Lifesaving Championships - Rescue 2016. Several members of the Australian Life Saving Team (Open and Youth) will be competing at the Gold Coast at APLSC 2016.

A number of invitation only competitors from New Zealand, United Kingdom, France and Hong Kong will also take part in some events.

Supported by LAERDAL, the Australian Pool Life Saving Championships are organised by Royal Life Saving.

New South Wales has won the title for the past five years. 

Images: The Australian Pool Life Saving Championships when held in Sydney in 2014 (top) and the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre (below).

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