(Kamloops, BC – May 10, 2005)

Nearly 100 athletes showed up in Kamloops for the 28th annual Canadian Lifeguard Championship, May 4-7th. The basis for these competitions is for lifeguards to test their lifeguarding skills, both through technical first aid and water rescue events to the Simulate Emergency Response drill and through lifesaving events similar to competitive swimming.

This year was especially exciting! In the swift Kamloops water there were several record breaking times.

Marc Prud’homme from the Canadian Infantry broke the World Record in 100m Carry with Fins with an amazing time of 50.49. The 100m Carry with Fins events starts with athletes lined up on the starting blocks wearing a pair of fins and they swim 50m to pick up a fully submerged 100 pound manikin and tow it 50m to the finish.

Marc also broke the 100m Tow with Fins event Canadian Record with a time of 58.01. The 100m Tow with Fins event starts with athletes lined up on the starting blocks wearing a pair of fins and a rescue tube and they swim 50m to pick up a half filled manikin and clip it to the rescue tube and lug it to the finish.

Isabelle Parent with a time of 13.51 also broke the Canadian Record in the Women’s Line Throw event. The Line Throw event starts with athletes at the wall holding an unweighted line; the line is then coiled in and tossed to a victim in the water. The victim is pulled to the finish to stop the clock.

Dustin Hersee and Gail Findlay-Shirras set the Canadian Record for 100m Obstacle. Dustin set the record with a time of 57.74, and Gail with a time of 1:07.23. The Obstacle swim starts with athletes on the blocks and they swim underneath gates that are 70cm deep four times in the 100m race. This is the first time this race has been run at a sanctioned Championship.

Athletes that have proven themselves will be eligible to make the Canadian National Lifesaving Team for Rescue 2006, February, in Gelong Australia.