This month eight teams came together to compete in the Cardiff Invitational Lifeguard Competition 2011.
The event was organised by Cardiff Council Leisure Services and aims to showcase the high standard of lifeguarding and the responsibilities and duties that lifeguards carry out on a daily basis.
The event is was held at Pentwyn Leisure Centre and attracted teams from Eastern, Fairwater, Western, Maindy, Pentwyn and Llanishen Leisure Centres, as well as external squads from Bluestone in Pembrokeshire and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Each team was required to complete five modules that challenge the competitor’s physical and mental abilities. They included a team row, multi skills test, first aid incident, pool emergency incident and a team torpedo buoy relay.
The competitor’s battled it out for six hours before Pentwyn retained the title of Cardiff’s best Lifeguarding team with Llanishen taking second place and Maindy winning third place.
Each year organisers select the best contender’s to join Cardiff Dragons Lifeguard Team and represent Cardiff in the National Lifeguard Championships.
Cardiff Council has competed at this level for the past six years and enjoyed an impeccable success rate.
The competition is run by the Institute of Sport and Recreational Management (IMSPA) and the Institute of Qualified Lifeguards (IQL).
The Invitational Lifeguard Competition was also an opportunity for organisers and competitors to pay their respects to Pete Whittle Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM), who sadly passed away in November 2010 after battling a serious illness.
Assistant Manger at Fairwater Leisure Centre and Event Organiser, Jon Leat said: “Over the years the Cardiff Dragons have got to know Pete Whittle very well and his passion, enthusiasm and support for Cardiff has been second to none.
“I personally miss Pete and would like to call him a close friend as he is sadly missed. In his memory we are naming our best male and female shields after him.”
