2007 Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships

Over 150 elite and highly skilled lifesavers from around Australia set the scene in a tough competition for the title of lifesaving team of the year at the 2007 Australian Pool Lifesaving championships in Perth.

New South Wales narrowly beat Queensland thus retaining their title as National Champions in Pool Lifesaving for the fifth successive year after a close contest throughout the four days of competition. The Victorian team finished third followed by South Australia in fourth place.


Over 150 elite and highly skilled lifesavers from around Australia set the scene in a tough competition for the title of lifesaving team of the year at the 2007 Australian Pool Lifesaving championships in Perth.

New South Wales narrowly beat Queensland thus retaining their title as National Champions in Pool Lifesaving for the fifth successive year after a close contest throughout the four days of competition. The Victorian team finished third followed by South Australia in fourth place.

Concluding on the weekend, the Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships are an annual event conducted by Royal Life Saving. Events held at the Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships determine the competitor’s ability in lifesaving with events simulating real situations which a lifesaver could encounter.

Competing in events including manikin tow and rescue, line throw, and obstacle relay competitors have had the opportunity to display their skills as they vie for a place on the Royal Life Saving National Squad.

The dominance of the NSW team was cemented with two competitors representing NSW named Male and Female Lifesaver of the Year. The accolades went to Mitchell Hartman and Jenny Whitely.

The Championships also served as the final event of the Lifesaving Grand Prix Series conducted by Royal Life Saving. The first two events of the series were held in 2006 in Sydney (June) and Adelaide (November). Prize money of $1000 was awarded to the overall Male and Female Grand Prix Championship winners from the series, a world first for the sport of pool lifesaving. The winners of these prizes as overall champions of the Grand Prix Series were Chris Timms (WA) and Felysia Konakoff (NSW).

The Junior Aussie Barra team was selected from the performances at the Lifesaving Championships. This team will represent Australia as a development team at the Arafura Games to be held in Darwin during May 2007. Under 19 Lifesavers were vying for a place on the Silver Aussie Barra’s’ team which will attend a development camp in preparation for further international competition.