Rescue India 2005

The 2nd Lifesaving and 4th Endurance Swim Championships were held in Pune, India. The event counted 140 participants. John Baxter and Downie Langthorne from Surf Life Saving Australia were sent to assist and coach the athletes during the event.

The Endurance Swim Championship and the Lifesaving Championship (pool events) were conducted over two days at the Swimming & Life Training Centre, Balgandharva Swimming Pool. The Lake Swim (15 Kms) and the Open Water Lifesaving Events were held at the Bhugaon Lake. Both the events were a great success as many previous records were broken.


The 2nd Lifesaving and 4th Endurance Swim Championships were held in Pune, India. The event counted 140 participants. John Baxter and Downie Langthorne from Surf Life Saving Australia were sent to assist and coach the athletes during the event.

The Endurance Swim Championship and the Lifesaving Championship (pool events) were conducted over two days at the Swimming & Life Training Centre, Balgandharva Swimming Pool. The Lake Swim (15 Kms) and the Open Water Lifesaving Events were held at the Bhugaon Lake. Both the events were a great success as many previous records were broken.

The 140 participants came from 8 districts. Many athletes form other districts could not make it due to financial constraints. RLSS (I) hopes to be able to finance the participation of such districts in the future. The teams form the Navy from Mumbai, the Army (Bombay Sappers) and Central Reserve Police Force also participated in the event. These athletes had done the lifesavers’ course with RLSS (I) to enable them to take part in lifesaving championships as this is a mandatory requirement.

Training camp

A training camp was held for athletes as a run up to the Championships. It was of great value to most particularly for those who came from other districts. Due to the unavailability of equipment they were unable to train for this event. The Australian instructors were of immense help by teaching the correct techniques and by giving them important tips that only a champion would know.

Their contribution in the conduct of the pool events was important and well received by the officials conducting the show under the able leadership of Mrs Sandhya Kotbagi, President Pune District Branch RLSS (I) and Mr Jitendra Khasnis, Director Sports, RLSS (I).

The Australian Coaches’ presence and their monitoring the same gave them confidence in running the event as it would be in any country where Lifesaving Sports’ activity has been practiced for decades. RLSS (India) is only seven years old and any word of encouragement and praise to its volunteer force for its dedicated effort prompts it to do better.

All India Lifesavers’ Conference.

For the first time an all India Conference in Lifesaving was held over 4 hours. RLSS (I) Zone and District Presidents accompanied by their council members and members of the National Working Council were present.

The objectives of the conference were to discuss:

  • Districts’ performance and feedback to National HQ.
  • Standardisation of RLSS (I) Working & Reporting.
  • Methods and means to expand RLSS (I) reach and spur its growth.
  • Greater attention to schools and younger groups.
  • Promulgation of action plan by Districts.
  • Quantification of awareness promotion volume and marrying it with training effort and schedule.
  • Liaison with Corporate, the State/Central Govt. for Recognition & Support.
  • Sharing views and experiences while promoting lifesaving.
  • Technical subjects related to First Aid Lifesaving and Life-Guarding.
  • Notice for “Elections in 2007.

The aim was to get all districts on the same grid. A number of issues were thrown up during discussions such as:

  • Availability of lifesaving equipment to train and save lives in actual conditions. Availability of books and training material for training in lifesaving and first aid.
  • The need to rotate venues for lifesaving events and championships.
  • The need to get Indian officials and coaches match up to international standards by understudying established officials at international events.
  • Frequency of lifesaving championship and their venue.
  • Bids for Rescue INDIA 2006 and 2007. Criteria and modalities for making a bid.