Hundreds of lifesaving athletes took part in the Junior and Masters Lifesaving Waterfront Provincial Championships on Southampton and Port Elgin waterfronts August 12 and 13.

Hub Staff

Saugeen Shores lifesavers from the junior division and mastery level (over 30 years old) had a banner performance as they hosted the Lifesaving Waterfront Provincial Championship during two days of competition on Southampton and Port Elgin waterfronts August 12 and 13, with the Juniors taking the division title over seven teams in competition with a total of 2,190 points.

Competition kicked off Saturday morning at Chantry View Beach and continued throughout Sunday at Port Elgin Main Beach with athletes competing in multiple events synonymous with the lifesaving sport including the Ocean Man and Woman, the Junior Iron Guard which consists of swimming, running, and paddle-boarding; the Surf-Swim and the Surf Ski, to name a few.

Master level competitor and Saugeen Shores Lifesaving Club (SSLC) Coach Micheal Hundt said the SSLC performed extremely well on their home-surf. “It’s awesome to see how hard they're pushing from their summer of training,“ said Hundt August 13, going on to say that across Ontario he has seen an increase in numbers and ability in the lifesaving sport.

Hundt credits an implementation of former South Africa National Coach Andrew Crook, who trains with different clubs and their athletes across Ontario. “You can just see the improvement, both from coaching standpoints as well as the athletes, they pick up so much from them as well as the coaches are able to put new tricks in their bags.”

The coach went on to say the lifesaving waterfront sport allows everyone to have their moment to shine. “Everyone has a different favourite event which makes lifesaving so unique and I think really great, you may have someone who’s a phenomenal runner but they're not as strong in a swim or a phenomenal boarder and they're not as great a runner; so it allows everybody to have their own moment to shine, and it allows individuals to understand that, ‘Yes maybe we do not have something we’re not as strong at but we have a teammate who’s phenomenal at it.’”

Pool season for the SSLC will begin in October and features five different levels based on age and ability.

SSLC Master competitor Heather Parsons said lifesaving is a family sport as her whole family is involved she has taken part for the past for three years. During the waterfront championships Parsons, along with her husband Stephen, competed in a Beach Run, Beach Flags, Surf-Ski, Surf-Swim, Paddleboard, and the Ocean- Woman/Man.

Following her Surf-Ski race, in which she placed 4th overall and 1st in her age group, Parsons said she was “doing alright.”

“The waves are a lot bigger than expected and the surf skis are extremely tippy so I was really happy that I didn't tip,” she said, adding she was one of the earlier boats to cross the line. Parsons said her whole family was competing in the championship. “There are a lot of different aspects of it and it’s just really fun,” said Parsons.

Seven teams involved in the Ontario level Championships were Richmond Hill LSC with 87 points overall, Toronto Police LGS with 168 points, LSC of Markham with 244 points, Rouge Valley LSC with 407 points, Brampton Barracudas with 650 points, Guelph Marlins with 1405 points, SSLC with 2190.

Following the Junior and Master level award ceremony Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau kicked off the Senior Level Championships that will take over Port Elgin Main Beach and Southampton beachfront until August 15.

The SSLC took top spot in Junior competition at the Lifesaving Waterfront Provincial Championships held in Saugeen Shores.

Under 9 Junior Ocean Guard competitors Luna Abbott (right) Kyra Diemert and Olivia Abbott before the Swim, Run and Board race August 13 at the Lifesaving Waterfront Provincial Championships, at Port Elgin Main Beach.

Thomas Greenall of SSLC was on the heels of Guelph Marlins competitor Brody Sketch (right) during the under 9 boys Ocean Guard August 13 at Port Elgin Main Beach.

Masters competitor Heather Parson of the SSLC was happy her surf ski boat didn’t tip during competition August 13.

Junior age 10-11 starting their Surf Swim race.

Junior competitors ages 12 and 13 took part in a 1500m land race Saturday morning, August 12 at Chantry View Beach.

Junior competitors in the under 9 category found their way around the 500m route for a Saturday morning land race at Chantry View Beach.

Alessandro Ferreira, age 13 of the Brampton Barracudas, placed first in his age group for the 1500m race August 12.

SSLC's Connor McNeill (left) and Ben Sollors placed third and second respectively in their division in the 1500m race August 12 at Chantry View Beach.

See also: Saugeen Shores senior competitors finish third in provincial competition