Lifesavers make quite a splash in
Ferrybank
LIFESAVERS from all over Ireland and Europe gathered at Ferrybank swimming pool for the 22nd annual Wexford International Lifesaving Competition on Saturday.
There was incredibly tough competition between the Irish and international competitors, with the U.K. and Germany well represented.
The first event was the staged incident, which involves a simulated rescue situation where the teams of four lifesavers have to use their knowledge of rescue to save the subjects,' said Wexford Water Safety PRO, Ruairi Farrell.
The second event was the rope throw and tow event which involves a rope rescue to a conscious casualty and a rescue carry.
The third event was the water safety methods where Lifeguards display their skills, effecting releases from holds by struggling casualties.
The Relay Rope was the next event where all four members of the team competed in tandem using a rope as a rescue implement followed by the speed carry where team members carried each other in speed rescues,' said Ruairi.
There were four Wexford teams competing. The Wexford Gold team consisted of Sarah Ryan, David Edwards, Ruairi Farrell, and Pat McDonald, who captured second place overall.
After a disappointing start they won three individual events, including the relay rope, speed carry and rope throw and tow and were only narrowly beaten by the winners from Leeds.
Wexford Purple consisted of Claire Edwards, Irish Record Holder Lar O'Connor, David Byrne and Ryan Kehoe who finished in third position, following excellent demonstration of the water safety methods to win gold in that section.
The Ferrybank A' team of Mairead Neville, Robbie McCarthy, Samuel Dunlop Doyle and Christopher Creane finished fourth overall after two third place finishes in the methods and relay rope.
The Ferrybank B' team of Rachel Creane, Michael Byrne, Jack O'Carroll and Ciaran Allen finished eleventh overall ahead of many top international athletes, after putting in an excellent performance in the staged incident in which they claimed forth place.
The results prove yet another great success for the Wexford Lifesavers who put in many hours in training for competitions.
Their achievements come as a result of the long hours invested by team coach and manager Tracey Edwards,' said Ruairi.
There was a special presentation meal held in the Talbot Hotel afterwards where the winners of each of the individual events were presented with trophies to mark their achievements.
Speaking at this event were Frank Nolan (National Chairman), Lar O'Connor (Wexford Chairman) and Cllr. Joe Ryan, who commended all the competitors on the good work they do on beaches and in pools saving lives.
Cllr. Gus Byrne, a long term supporter of Wexford Water Safety, presented the winners with a new perpetual trophy. T
he original trophy was presented to the Wexford team of Tracey Edwards, Ruairi Farrell, David Edwards and Pat McDonald for their outstanding achievement of winning the competition outright for four successive years.
