16/07/2008

Team Ireland To Challenge World's Best Lifesavers

Ireland's top lifeguards will compete at the World Lifesaving Championships - Rescue 2008 - in Germany from 20th July to 2nd August. The team will represent Ireland at this gala of lifesaving that is the most significant and breathtaking life saving competition in the world.

Competitors at the World Championships will have their skills tested in events that simulate emergency rescue and swimming. Ireland will be competing against 4,000 of the World's Lifesavers and fending off strong challenges from other European countries, Australia and the USA.

Head of Delegation and Chairman of Irish Water Safety's Sports Commission Jim Lawlor said that with pool and surf events to be contested at the event, the need to pick a well-balanced and versatile team was paramount.

"The Irish Team for Rescue 2008 is one of the strongest for years with a perfect mix of specialists and all-rounders, and they are looking forward to representing Ireland and displaying their skills in a wide variety of pool and open water rescue events as they vie for World Championship medals," said Lawlor.

Commenting on the additional challenges of open water competitions, Lawlor is confident of the Irish Team's readiness for the challenge. "Athletes will not only compete with each other while carrying their life saving equipment but also the wind and waves of the Baltic Sea. Conditions around Ireland's coast are ideal training waters for the team to expect strong results even in such a large field of competitors," he said.

(JM/KMcA)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

11 May 2012
Grenade Found At House In Galway
More than 30 families were evacuated from their homesi n Galway last night after a device was found in the garden of a house. A viable World War II grenade was discovered at a property at approximately 10.30pm. An army disposal team made the device safe at around 1.30am.
11 June 2018
Pope To Visit Knock In August
Pope Francis is to visit Knock in Co Mayo when he visits Ireland in August. The announcement was made by the Vatican who outlined his itinerary on 25 and 26 August. The Pope is also attending the Catholic World Meeting of Families in Dublin's Croke Park and will celebrate the closing mass of the gathering at the capital's Phoenix Park.
19 November 2009
Irish Writer Wins Top US Book Award
Irish writer Colum McCann’s latest book, Let the Great World Spin, has won the top fiction prize at the US National Book Awards. The Dubliner’s latest novel is a story about life in New York City in the 1970s and earned the writer a prize of $10,000, beating off competition from four other scribes.
01 October 2008
Ireland Bids For World Cup Glory
While Jamaica's unlikely bid has now been withdrawn, eight countries are now bidding to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup, including Ireland. The nations confirming their intention to tender for the 2015 tournament were: Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.
03 March 2011
Ireland 'In Crease' Over Record Breaking Win
Ireland has shaken the cricket world, beating England with a record-breaking century in the Cricket World Cup. The victory in Banglore, India saw the otherwise unknown Irish mid–fielder Kevin O’Brien hit 113 in just 50 balls, making it the fastest century in World Cup history.