Auckland Council’s lifeguard team has won the National Pool Lifeguard Competition for a second consecutive year.
A team of four – from Albany Stadium Pool, West Wave and Moana Nui-a-Kiwa - competed at the one-day competition in Wellington last week and came out on top, beating five other teams from across New Zealand.
Claire Stewart, Interim General Manager Pools and Leisure says she’s thrilled with the team’s achievement.
“The council is extremely proud of the lifeguard team coming out on top at the National Pool Lifeguard Competition and solidifying their status as the ultimate ‘Lords of the Waves’.”
“The team put in some rigorous training to get match fit for the competition and they’ve been rewarded for their hard work.
“The win speaks for the skill and professionalism that lifeguards at the council’s pools bring to the job each and every day, to ensure Aucklanders are safe when they’re in the pool.”
Teams in the competition were put through their paces with the types of scenarios they might encounter while on the job as a pool lifeguard. In-water scenarios included towing a casualty for 50 metres, performing CPR and helping a swimmer with a suspected spinal injury.
Out of water scenarios included responding to a casualty with a bleed to the head who then becomes unconscious and requires CPR, helping a person who faints at the sight of blood and dealing with a conflict scenario.
For each scenario, competitors were assessed on their response, communication and teamwork and were asked questions by assessors about their actions.
Once the lifeguard team has had some time to reflect on their win, the focus will turn to 2025, with the team eyeing the potential for three wins in a row.
There are approximately 220 lifeguards working across 12 Auckland Council owned and operated pools. Thirteen other Auckland Council owned pools are run by external providers.
Lifeguards at Auckland Council pools have to go through a rigorous training programme before they are authorised to work pool-side. This includes first-aid, and health and safety training, followed by lifeguard theory and in-water training and assessment to gain a Pool Lifeguard Skills award. Once these steps have been completed, new lifeguards shadow experienced lifeguards onsite before gaining a Practising Pool Lifeguard certificate.
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