ALMOST double the amount of competitors from 2016 took part in this year’s Pool Lifeguard Challenge at HBF Stadium last Thursday.
Seventeen teams descended on the Mt Claremont venue, with some travelling from as far as Geraldton and Mandurah.
Held annually since 2007, the event aims to test lifeguard’s skills and encourage improvement of lifeguard teams at aquatic centres across WA.
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READ NOWAdventure World team supervisor Georgia Manning said they decided to take part for the first time this year as a team building exercise.
“The team came to really test their skills and have a bit of fun,” she said.
“We thought it would be great to see where we sit amongst the rest of the state as Adventure World is not really your normal aquatic facility.
“I think this event gives our team a good sense of self-esteem, team building and it makes them more aware that they’re part of the big picture of lifeguarding not just at Adventure World, but in Perth and Western Australia.”
The day began with a team relay and obstacle course, with HBF Arena Team 1 coming out of the blocks fast and putting themselves forward as the team to beat.
The next event was the Super Lifeguard Challenge, in which teams show their swimming, manikin tow and CPR skills.
The standout team in this event was Riverton 2 who achieved a perfect score in the CPR section.
Team members headed into the Royal Life Saving training rooms after this to complete a theory exam, in which Altone Park and Riverton 1 tied for top spot.
The final challenge of the day was the emergency scenario.
The teams go into a lock-down room so they are unaware of the scenario unfolding for the competing team out on the pool deck, and no one can ever be sure what to expect from this part of the challenge each and every year.
The top team in the emergency scenario was Mandurah 1 who took out the top score.
The top three finishers overall were Riverton Team 2 in first place, Mandurah Team 1 in second place and Geraldton Aquarena in third place.