Lifeguards win challenge

Gosford Council has placed first at the Royal Life Saving NSW Pool Lifeguard Challenge, winning over $1000 worth of equipment and training.

Lifeguards from the Peninsula Leisure Centre competed against other NSW aquatic centres to win five out of the six competitions at Blacktown Leisure Centre on February 1.

The event allowed the pool lifeguards to "showcase the high level of expertise that they have", according to council's coordinator of leisure and lifestyle Mr Simon Clarke.

Rescue simulations, obstacle swims, relays and line throws were just some of the activities included in the challenge that were designed to test the lifeguards' skills in rescue and emergency care, leadership and fitness.

Lifeguards from Gosford Pool and the Peninsula Leisure Centre made up the winning team, and included Mick Magurren, Lachlan Staples, Nathan Broadbent, Dean Mackay and Keira Pride.

The prize winnings included two rescue tubes, a training defibrillator and a submergible training dummy.

Press release, 27 Feb 2008 Kate Carragher, Gosford Council