Following trials held on 4th July last, the Irish Junior Surf Lifesaving Team for 2010 is:
The Rescue 2010 Lifesaving World Championships will take place in Alexandria, Egypt in October. Trials for the Senior team to compete are being held in UL and Spanish Point on Sunday 18th July
Lifesaving teams from Co Clare competed on Sat 20th Feb 2010 in Irish Water Safety’s National Irish Pool Lifesaving Championships in the 50 metre pool at UL.
Competition was intense as almost 200 of Ireland’s top lifeguards demonstrated their lifesaving skills.
Clare Nipper competitors dominated at the National Nipper Pool Lifesaving Championships held in Leisureland, Galway.
The International Ischia Island trophy took place on 8th & 9th May 2010. On a little island off the coast of Napoli, the competition involved 4 international teams:
Ireland with representatives: Oisin McGrath (far right) and Colm Fitzgerald (2nd from right)
Holland, Romania, Italy & many Italian national teams.
The combined efforts of our Irish Competitors – Oisin & Colm placed Ireland 3rd in the Overall Team category with Individual First and Second placings in the various events of Board Paddle, Ski Race and Ocean Man replaced by Beach Flags.
Co Clare team members of the Irish Junior Surf Lifesaving Team 2010 with Team Coach Oisín McGrath
Clare McGrath, International referee, together with parents and helpers ran the Irish Junior Surf-lifesaving trials in UL and White Strand (4th July).
The gruelling competition tested the mettle of the athletes, and in the calm waters of UL and the choppy seas near Miltown Malbay, Clare competitors came out on top. Bernard Cahill, Dylan Barrett, Declan Bredin and Conor Rooney secured places on the boys team while Siobhán McGrath, Caoimhe Gowran and Lúise O'Donovan claimed their places in some very close contests. Many other Clare athletes who were on the Irish panel competed fiercely to make the team but just missed out this year.
The main competition these athletes will now focus on are the European Junior Championships in Belgium this September.
R-L Oisin McGrath (Clare) and Scott Morton (Wicklow) battle for first place in the Mens Ski Race.
The challenging sport of Surf Lifesaving tests competitors in events that simulate emergency swimming rescue scenarios directly related to elements of lifeguarding.
The European Junior Lifesaving Championships were recently held in Antwerp, Belgium, from the 2nd-4th Sept 2010. Ireland was very ably represented by a team of 10 young lifesavers. Co Clare Junior Surf lifesavers played a very big role in these championships as 7 of the Irish team of 10 hailed from Co Clare:
National Nipper Champions aged 8-14 show their Cup and medals earned at Inchydoney on Sat, 4th to their fellow Clare Surflifesaver European Champions.
Co Clare lifesavers represented Ireland at National and Masters Competitions at the World Lifesaving Championships 2010 Alexandria, Egypt in mid October.
Norma Cahill Competed in Masters Competitions and brought home 7 gold and a silver medal.
Oisín McGrath Brought home 3 gold and silver.
The contribution of the Clare members was phenomenal and brought huge success to the Irish Team.
The Irish Team of 10 included 5 from Co Clare:
MEN: Colm Fitzgerald, Oisín McGrath, Bernard Cahill, Dylan Barrett
LADIES: Siobhan McGrath,
Masters: Norma Cahill