Umina retains pool rescue championship title

Umina Surf Life Saving Club has retained its championship title in this year's Surf Life Saving NSW Pool Rescue Championships.

The event saw more than 400 lifesavers from across the state descend on the Peninsula Leisure Centre at Woy Woy for two days of competition on July 13 and 14.

Umina were the defending pool rescue champions going into the competition and fielded the largest team of the event with 46 athletes taking part across the Junior, Open and Masters categories.

Umina excelled across all three divisions earning their overall first place and retaining their championship title with 27 gold medals, 21 silver and 11 bronze.

Standout performers included Davara Marshall, Sienna Sinclair and Ronnie Jordan in the Juniors, Kaylah Holmes, Blake Hessel, Lachlan Braddish and Brock Ray in the Opens and Shelley Smith and Katrina West in the Masters.

Umina Coach Ms Kerry Armstrong-Smith said: "Pool Rescue is a great sport that gives our lifesavers the skills to be able to pick up and carry a patient for a long distance.

"It's a great skill-based training over winter and keeps lifesavers fit over the colder months."

Fellow Umina Club member Mr Harold Marshall said the team was ecstatic to have defended their Open State Championship title.

"This is a fantastic result for our team and everyone who has worked so hard on developing and building our Umina Pool Rescue team.

"We have a number of strong athletes who have gone on to represent the state and Australia.

"They have been outstanding and a testament to the foundations set by our coaches," Mr Marshall said. SOURCE: Media release, 15 Jul 2019 Donna Wishart, SLS NSW