Mackenzie Salmon - Saugeen Shores Lifesaving Club photo

Hub Staff

Saugeen Shores Lifesaving Club (SSLC) athletes have been training all summer in preparation for the Rescue 2016 World Championships in the Netherlands.

Madison Ashton and McLean Reid will compete in Pool and Ocean relays, Youth category while Mackenzie Salmon, who will also compete in Pool and Ocean relays, will be competing in the Open category. All will depart August 29 for a training camp to acclimatize prior to the September 6 to 11 event.

Head Coach Don Burton said he is excited for his 10th tour with Canada and has seen these young athletes grow up in the sport. “It is awesome to see that they have put so much into it. SSLC has consistently put team members onto the Canadian team since 2009, with Alyce Sutcluff being the first,” said Burton, adding that since that first time, SSLC has been “a force to be reckoned with.”

From an August 23 SSLC media release, Lifesaving sport is a unique combination of competitive swimming, simulated rescue drills. It is fast paced and demanding. Through swimming, use of rescue equipment, or performing manikin rescues, board rescues, and other equipment; lifesaving sport is designed to test an athlete’s speed, endurance, agility, coordination and strength in open water and in the pool. Lifesaving sport is the only sport that has been developed based on humanitarian principles. The Lifesaving Society, Canada’s lifeguarding expert, is the national sport organization (NSO) for lifesaving sport in Canada and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation.

The SSLC athletes are appreciative of the community support they have received as they have attempted to raise $4,000 each in order to participate in this initiative. Thanks goes to the Optimist Club, Aquafit Ladies: Centennial Pool, SSLC and community members who helped by supporting car washes and garage sales.

If you wish to make a financial contribution, contact Shanna Reid at reids@saugeenshores.ca or call 519-832-2627.

As the SSLC athletes prepare to embark on their journey, each had something to say:

Mackenzie Salmon - “I am extremely excited about the opportunity to be able to represent myself, family, community, and Canada at the upcoming Worlds Championships in the Netherlands this September. It is an a great honour to compete against the world's best and I will be attempting to have some surprising results at the competition. The critical keys to my success will be living in the moment and giving it my all.”

Madison Ashton - “My forte is the pool and I will be competing hard to get results for Canada. It has been an honour to represent Canada once again and I hope to do my community proud. My training through the Breakers Swim Club and through SSLC has gotten me ready for this event.”

McLean Reid - “This will be my first tour representing Canada and I am stoked to be going. My area of expertise is the ocean events but I am just excited to be representing Canada, helping out where I can.”

For more information on the World Championships visit lifesaving2016.com.

Madison Ashton, centre - Saugeen Shores Lifesaving Club photo

McLean Reid - Saugeen Shores Lifesaving Club photo