Crawley Town Life Saving Club’s competitors experience two successful sporting weekends

Crawley Town Life Saving Club’s competitors have just experienced two successful sporting weekends, kicking off with their own Open Championships at the K2 Sports Centre.

The format of the Open has changed several times since its instigation back in 1983 and is currently focused on a team basis with opportunities for individuals to demonstrate their relay potential for international selectors. Eleven teams took part; Leeds Lifesaving Club travelling the furthest distance.

Crawley Town’s Open SERC (simulated emergency rescue competition) team featuring Martin Schofield (capt), Freddie Imochen, Daisy Murphy and Amy Newnham got the club off to the best start possible by winning the SERC with a score of 225 points, 17 points ahead of Leeds in second place and 99 points in front of their Youth team Captained by Gemma Brissett along with Tegan Oades, Emma Packham and Isabella Bunns.

On this occasion Crawley Town were missing their two GBR stars, Asier Lopez and Jack Sadberry, who were competing overseas at the three day XIV Spanish Open Spring Championships at Castellon de Plana, Spain. Amy, along with Daisy and Lynsey Wright, stepped up to help Martin and Freddie achieve a hard-fought 4th place in the Open Speed Championships. Crawley Town’s Youth young girls’ team of Gemma, Tegan, Emma and Isabella lost out to the older and more experienced local Beacon team.

In the individual sprints, Crawley Town’s only wins came from Amy with Lynsey in the 12.5m line throw. In the other four 50m sprints, namely Freestyle, Obstacles, Fins and Carry, Gemma proved to be the second fastest female Youth closely followed by teammate Isabella, with Martin averaging a third placing behind current GBR members from Rascals.

The Championships was refereed by Teresa Myatt who is responsible for running all the RLSS major lifesaving championships including last year’s Commonwealth Championships. VIP guests included the current RLSS President, Bryan Finlay, along with two colleagues from RLSS HQ, who used the championships to promote the inclusion of lifesaving sport in the 2032 Olympics.

The following weekend, Crawley Town’s Youth members took part in the Sussex Lifesaving Championships at Bede’s School pool, Upper Dicker. The aim of this competition is to help Sussex lifesaving competitors prepare for Regional Lifesaving Championships, the official qualifying round for the National Lifesaving Championships which is again being held in Leeds at the end of the year. Crawley Town won the following three categories: Open 10-12 years - brother and sister Nellie and Joe King; Female 12-14 years – Tegan Oades with Emma Pekham; and Female 15-17 years – Gemma Brissett and Edie Critoph. All six are now preparing hard for the regional heat which will take place at the Windlesham School, Findon in July.

If you wish to learn more about this worthwhile and soon to be Olympic sport, please join us at K2 on a Tuesday evening between 8pm and 10pm.