27 June 2007

Derby Lifeguards Make a Splash in Lifesaving Competition

A Derby City Council lifeguard is aiming for first place, in November, in a UK competition in which Queen’s Leisure Centre has already taken the team title.

Lifeguard Andrew Mottershead was one of three people to get 93 points out of a possible 100 in the Lifeguard Triathlon, run by the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management and the Institute of Qualified Lifeguards, so first, second and third places will be decided during the National Lifesaving Championships in Sheffield in November.

Queen’s lifeguards Chris Brighton, Wendy Brailsford and Pam Havery also finished in the top 20, out of 697 competitors, and the entire team of 13’s score averaged out at the top 88.9 points.

The lifeguards were judged, last month, on resuscitation, swimming and theoretical knowledge.

Councillor Alan Graves, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Direct Services, said:

“This is a fantastic achievement, particularly by Andrew. Obviously we are hoping Andrew will get first place in November but, either way, Queen’s Leisure Centre has already got the best team score and I want to congratulate them all. These results reveal the proficiency of lifeguards at Queen’s Leisure Centre and are a credit to all the hard work they put in.”