The first weekend of 2018 NSW Lifesaving Championships continued last Sunday with medals decided in the traditional Patrol Competition.
The Patrol Competition is highly technical sport designed to challenge the competitor’s lifesaving knowledge.
Freshwater continued on their winning ways taking out gold in the Open Division for a second straight year finishing ahead of Bronte and Newport who rounded out the podium.
In the U17s Bondi Surf Bathers held off a fast-finishing Jan Juc SLSC to claim the NSW title ahead of the visiting Victorians.
Surf Life Saving NSW Sports Coordinator Luke Stigter was delighted with a successful start to the NSW Championships after the Champion Lifesaver and Patrol Competition kicked off a busy period at Blacksmiths Beach.
“It’s an exciting time of year with the State Championships always a highlight on the calendar for all our competitors no matter what even they’re contesting.
“The Champion Lifesaver and Patrol Competition certainly got the event off to the best possible start setting a high standard with the competitors all demonstrating their sound knowledge of lifesaving, skills and teamwork throughout the weekend,” Mr Stigter said.
In the Patrol Competition, the competitors represent their clubs and must demonstrate their knowledge of how a patrol can function efficiently and in a professional manner.
It’s open to competitors aged 17 and above and consists of 4 members in the U17 category and 6 in the open age group with the addition of IRB drivers.
Only the first two placed teams earn the right to enter April’s Australian Championships so there’s a lot at stake for the lifesavers involved.
The competition begins with an exam to test the knowledge before moving onto scenarios, and team races. To be successful the teams must work together and demonstrate leadership and good practice with judges keeping an eagle eye on the participants to ensure they meet the criteria.
2018 NSW Patrol Competition Medallists
Open Division
Freshwater Team A SLSC
Bronte SLSC
Newport Team A SLSC
U17 Division
Bondi Surf Bathers LSC
Jan Juc SLSC (Victoria)
The Lifesaving component of 2018 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships proudly supported by your Local Club concludes at Blacksmiths Beach, Swansea on Saturday 3 March with the First Aid Competition.
Wednesday 28 February 2018