The 2019 Ontario Lifesaving Waterfront Championships kicked off in Saugeen Shores August 12 at The Port Elgin Main Beach.
Hub Staff
The 2019 Ontario Lifesaving Waterfront Championships kicked off in Saugeen Shores on August 12 with Saugeen Shores Lifesaving Club's Junior athletes (age 7 to 16) and Masters (over 30) starting off the three day event competing against other clubs from across the province.
The competition is taking place at both the Main Beach in Port Elgin and Chantry Beach in Southampton and will shift its focus to the Senior athletes August 13 and 14 as they compete at both locations.
Meet manager Shanna Reid explained that the provincial competition is presented by the Lifesaving Society annually at various waterfronts and that it was last held in Saugeen Shores in 2017. “A lot of the Senior athletes will then head to the Nationals in Nova Scotia in two weeks,” said Reid, adding that the Junior competitors do not compete at the national level.
Junior and Masters athletes competed in various swimming, paddle board, running and relay races throughout the day August 12 in various age groups divided into Boy, Girl and Mixed races. Saugeen Shores Lifesaving Club athletes came away with multiple medals.
The Seniors events will begin at 8 a.m. August 13 with the morning seeing male athletes competing in Port Elgin and female athletes competing in Southampton. Groups will then switch beaches for the afternoon.
David Parsons of the Saugeen Shores Lifesaving Club was focused as he competed in the 16 year old events at the Ontario Lifesaving Waterfront Championships August 12.
Colette Barrett competes in the Girls 14-15 Board Race at The Port Elgin Main Beach August 12.
The Mixed 14–15 Surf Race got underway at The Port Elgin Main Beach August 12.
There were smiles and hugs from Saugeen Shores Lifesaving Club teammates Aurora Jacobi (left) and Colette Barrett as they took third and second place respectively in the Girls 14 to 15 Ironguard.
From left, Saugeen Shores Lifesaving Club athletes Brady Phillips (third), Connor McNeill (first) and Cameron Smith (second) took all the medals in the Boys 14-15 Surf Race.
Saugeen Shores Lifesaving Club's Olivia Howe emerges from the water and heads to the finish line.
Saugeen Shores Lifesaving Club's Steve Parsons was competing in various events at the 2019 Ontario Lifesaving Waterfront Championships.
