Lifesavers reach for glory in nationals
WATER WAY TO GO! LARGE WEXFORD SQUAD IN LIMERICK
Wexford senior men's team member Ciaran Allen in action.
A LARGE squad of Wexford's best lifesavers competed in Irish Water Safety's National Pool Lifesaving Championships at the National University of Limerick's 50-metre Arena Pool last Saturday.
The team from the Model County have been in training for months under the watchful eye of coaches Tracey Edwards and Lar O'Connor.
Wexford enjoyed a very successful competition as the team competed to a very high standard, making their way to the medal podium on two occasions.
The senior men's team of Christopher Creane, Ciaran Allen, Samuel Dunlop Doyle, and Robbie McCarthy picked up two silver medals.
Robbie and Ciaran achieved second place in the 12 metre rope throw, simulating a real life rescue in a time of 11.74.
The senior men's team performed excellently alongside strong competition from Clare and Wicklow and were very close to the medals in many of the team relay events.
The junior girl's team of Colleen Nolan, Madalina Craciun, Shauna Creane and Niamh Allen and Holly Kearns also picked up silver medals in the rope throw event.
Shauna Creane and Madalina Craciun captured second position, just behind Belfast in a time of 17.74 seconds.
The 12 metre rope throw always proves a stronghold for the Wexford lifesavers, following on from the national record, which Wexford veteran Lar O'Connors achieved in 2008.
His record of 12.4 in the masters section of the same event is still intact despite very good performances from Meath last Saturday.
The senior women team of Rachael Creane and Sarah Ryan also competed to a very high standard. Unfortunately they did not claim any medals, but they did perform very well in both the mannequin carry and obstacle swims.
The Championships are part of Irish Water Safety's extensive programme to promote water safety in Ireland with a particular focus on the necessary skills required by lifeguards nationwide.
The event saw various teams from counties around Ireland competing in a rigourous series of races, which simulate conditions that lifesavers often encounter in real life rescues.
Wexford Water Safety Lifesaving team will round off their season with their own Invitational Lifesaving competition this Saturday, March 7, at 3 p.m. in New Ross Swimming Pool starting at 2 p.m.
Wexford Water Safety's A.G.M. takes place on Tuesday, March 10, at 8 p.m. in the Talbot Hotel Wexford.
