Yorkshire Speeds and Rascals National Lifesaving Sport Meets for Crawley club

Crawley Town Life Saving Club concluded its 2026 National competition season by sending a Mens relay team to the Yorkshire Speeds held at the John Charles Sports Centre, Leeds and a Ladies pair to the Rascals National Meet at the Liverpool Aquatic Centre.

Crawley Town’s highest scoring member was GBR Youth International, Asier Lopez, who won his 17/18 age group by a clear 11 points with a score of 91. This score comprised an impressive gold medal in his favoured event the 200m Super-lifesaver in the second overall fastest time on the day. He repeated this feat in the 12.5m Line Throw using Jack Sadberry as his subject. He lost out by just a tenth of a second to the Open age group behind a Crawley teammate, comfortably winning him a gold medal in his own age group three seconds ahead of his nearest rival. Asier also won silver medals in both the 50m Manikin Carry and 100m Rescue Medley along with a bronze medal in the 100m Manikin Tow.

The fastest man in the pool was again Crawley Town’s current Senior Men’s GBR International and current double British record holder, Jack Sadberry, who won gold medals in the three individual events he entered: 100m Manikin Carry with fins, 100m Manikin Tow with fins and 50m Manikin Carry.

Northern Ireland captain, Crawley Town’s Dave Butler, competing in the 30/39 masters age group was the Crawley Town team-mate, with subject Ryan Wheeler, who stole gold from Asier in the 12.5m Line Throw so winning a double gold in both the Open and 30/39 age group, before winning a bronze medal in both the 100m Manikin Carry with fins and 100m Manikin Tow with fins.

Also competing in the 30/39 age group was England Development team member, Ryan Wheeler, who picked up impressive silver medals in both the 200m Super Lifesaver and 100m Manikin Tow with fins along with a bronze medal in the 50m Manikin Carry.

 The four men teamed up to take two silver medals in the 4x25m Manikin relay and 50m Medley relay.

While at the Liverpool Aquatic Centre, Evie Goodall and Amy Newnham took part in the Ripley National Meet which attracted the National squads of both Wales and Norway. The Ripley National Meet is currently the only British Championships to replicate both the European and World formats by running heats in the morning followed by corresponding finals in the afternoon.

Considering the international competition they were up against, both Crawley Town ladies put in good performances with Evie competing in the 13/18 age group just missing out on a bronze medal in her favoured 100m Manikin Tow with fins event, finishing fourth just behind the Norwegian competitor. Both Amy and Evie were privileged to be invited to support one of the three ladies Norwegian relay teams racing when one of their competitors became unwell.

Eight Crawley Town competitors will shortly be representing the Southeast region at the RLSS-UK National Lifesaving Championships. If this encourages you to try the sport, please come along and join us at the K2 sports centre on a Tuesday evening from 8pm to 10pm.