Australian team for Rescue 2004

The Australian team to compete in the Life Saving World Championships in Italy this September has been announced, and it includes a strong line-up of seasoned competitors, as well as a number of rising stars.

For the first time in the history of international life saving competition, The Royal Life Saving Society Australia (RLSSA) and Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) will send a joint team to compete at the event known as Rescue 2004.


The Australian team to compete in the Life Saving World Championships in Italy this September has been announced, and it includes a strong line-up of seasoned competitors, as well as a number of rising stars.

For the first time in the history of international life saving competition, The Royal Life Saving Society Australia (RLSSA) and Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) will send a joint team to compete at the event known as Rescue 2004.

Competitors at the championships have their skills tested in events such as Ironman & Ironwoman, simulated emergency rescue and swimming. Australia will be competing against teams from 30 other nations, and fending off the mounting challenge from European countries.

Captain of the Australian Life Saving Team, Stephen Short, said with 44 events to be contested at the event, the need to pick a well-balanced and versatile team was paramount.

“The Australian team for Rescue 2004 is one of the strongest for years with a perfect mix of specialists and all-rounders, and we are all looking forward to representing our country, he said.

The Australian Life Saving Team is:
Stephen Short (c), Peter Court, Zane Holmes, Jason O’Pray, Nathan Smith, Brett Robinson, Melissa Hoar, Kate Krywulycz, Kristy Munroe, Jennifer Parry, Kristyl Smith and Sarah Windsor.

Competing in the past as two separate teams, Australia has consistently dominated international lifesaving competition. At the most recent Life Saving World Championships, held in Daytona, Florida in 2002, SLSA placed first and RLSSA placed second out of the 23 countries competing.

Traditionally, Royal Life Saving competitors have had particular strength in pool events, with Surf Life Saving excelling in open water events however competitors selected for the first combined Australian team must display skills in all areas.

Phil Vanny, chairman of the selection panel, said that the selection of a single team to compete at Rescue 04 means the most talented athletes from the combined pool of Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving will represent the country in Italy.

“Australia already has an excellent reputation as a competitor on the international stage in lifesaving events and this will be further enhanced by the fact we are now able to send what is arguably our strongest ever team, with all members able to excel in both still-water and surf events,” he said.

Competition in 2004 will also see coaches and officials selected from both RLSSA and SLSA. Coaches and Officials are: Gavin Hill, Anni Gardiner, Gray Parkes, John Baxter and Troy Eady

The Australian Life Saving team will have a training camp at Cabarita Beach on the Gold Coast in August, prior to departing for Italy in September.