Arrivederci Italy – Welcome Australia

All participants at the last World Championships held in Viareggio and Livorno in the beautiful region of Tuscany will remember Rescue 2004 as a masterly organised event. ILS commends the Italian Swimming Federation “ Lifesaving Section (FIN-S) for having delivered the best Rescue Series ever.


All participants at the last World Championships held in Viareggio and Livorno in the beautiful region of Tuscany will remember Rescue 2004 as a masterly organised event. ILS commends the Italian Swimming Federation ” Lifesaving Section (FIN-S) for having delivered the best Rescue Series ever.

All started wonderfully with a magnificent Opening Ceremony on the well-known Piazza Mazzini in Viareggio. Sound, light, atmosphere, smiles, performances, sunset, helicopters, etc ¦ all was in place for a memorable evening. The timing was perfect and the ceremony grew over 90 minutes to an absolute climax. Well done Italy.

The Conference took place over three days and was attended by over 500 people. Simultaneous translation was foreseen in Italian and English. Very interesting topics were covered and the audience enjoyed the perfect organisation.

The ILS Commission Meetings, Board of Directors Meetings and General Assembly of ILS went very well prepared rooms and the environment provided by FIN-S allowed ILS to move fast forward and to approve all needed resolutions and recommendations.

The World Championships for Masters covered four days and hick-ups were resolved quickly by our Italian friends.

The World Championships for National Teams saw a record participation with teams from over 35 countries. Australia won the Alan Whelpton Trophy followed by New-Zealand and South Africa.

The World Championships for Interclub Teams saw a participation of 191 clubs and the Kevin Weldon Trophy was won by Mr. Price Durban from South Africa, followed by Maroochydore from Australia and by Northcliffe from Australia. Halle ” Saalkreis from Germany ended fourth.

Besides the above championships, World Championships took place for Stillwater Boats and Surfboats.

The whole was closed with a serene but beautiful closing ceremony on the Viareggio Beach where a Rescue helicopter picked up the ILS flag to bring it to Australia ¦ the next organiser of the ILS World Championships.

The results can be found on the Rescue 2004 web site.