Record medal haul for Irish team at European lifesaving events

WATER SPORT: Ireland’s top lifesavers won gold in a record-breaking 11 events at the European Junior and Masters Lifesaving Championships in Alicante last weekend.

The Championships simulate real-life rescue situations with competitors undertaking gruelling water rescue scenarios in both pool and beach environments.

The highlight of the weekend was the Team Ireland girls being crowned European Beach Champions.

Chairman of Irish Water Safety’s Sports Commission Seamus O’Neill said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the results, the team far exceeded our expectations.

“The junior competitors will soon become top lifeguards, patrolling beaches and pools in Ireland and abroad. No other sport gives so much back to a community in terms of a skill that benefits so many users of our wonderful waterways."

The junior girls won team gold in Rescue Tube; Board Rescue Relay and Ocean Relay. They also won silver for the Beach Sprint, while their male counterparts won silver for their Ocean Relay and bronze in the Rescue Tube event.

Lily Barrett, 2015 Junior European Ocean Woman, Board Paddle, Board Rescue Champion said: "[It was] an amazing performance by Team Ireland.

“I am delighted to be coming away with four European gold medals against the best lifesaving athletes in Europe."

A mixed team of juniors won silver in the simulated emergency response competition which opened the European Junior Lifesaving Championships.

Seasoned competitor and Irish coach Oisin McGrath said: “I’ve never heard the Irish national anthem being played so much.”

Results in full: http://www.europeanlifesaving2015.es/index.php/results