Life savers return from international competition

Four Umina Surf Life Savers have returned from New Zealand, one with five medals, after the International Pool Rescue Competition held in Auckland earlier this month.

Following a stint with the NSW Under 18's Pool Rescue Development Team, Umina Surf Lifesaving Club members Lachlan Braddish, Blake Hessel, Kaylah Holmes and Kirsten Miller were selected for the international competition.

The five medals were won by Kaylah Holmes: a gold in the Under-19's Female 50 Metre Manikin Carry, a silver in the 100 Metres Rescue Medley and a bronze in the 200 Obstacles.

She secured another silver when she teamed up with Bulli's Zara Sharman in the Under-19's Line Throw and was a member of the gold medal winning 4x50 Metre Relay team.

The other representatives from Umina did not medal during the competition.

Rookie head coach Ms Susan McCaughtrie said it was a fantastic effort from what was an inexperienced NSW squad.

For many of the team it was their first taste of international competition and will prove to be an invaluable experience as Surf Life Saving Australia gears up for the 2018-19 surf sport and surf lifesaving season, she said.

"It was a wonderful opportunity for our team to compete against what was a tough field of New Zealand's best pool rescue athletes.

SOURCE:

Media release, 17 Oct 2018

Liam Howitt, Surf Life Saving Australia