Champion Lifesavers Ready to Take on The State 

Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club recently travelled to Alva Beach, Ayr to compete in the North Barrier Branch Champion Lifesaver Carnival.  The event involves lifesavers being assessed on their surf sports fitness, patient assessment & CPR skills and a detailed theory paper. 
Mackay SLSC Director of Surf Sports, Josh Grant said “This competition is extremely important in developing the skills of our lifesavers. These are the youth who patrol our beaches for the community and make going to the beach safe & enjoyable.  It is a very challenging multi-disciplined event that tests competitors in a number of different scenarios that could one day save someone’s life.” 
“The surf club’s lifesavers had some outstanding individual results with U17’s Nate McKinnon & Zara Richardson taking out 1st in Champion Lifesaver as well as 1st in First Aid.  U15’s females Cadence McKinnon finished 1st with Isabella Grant coming in 2nd in Champion lifesaver, and as a team placed 1st in the First Aid competition.  With U15 male Nate Espartinez taking out 1st place also” said Mr Grant
“The club is extremely proud to see our lifesavers excel at such an important event.  This was all thanks to the coaching of Cathy McKinnon & Stewart Richardson who will now lead the team heading into state championships on the Gold Coast this weekend, so we can hopefully retain our current positions as state champions in their age groups.” 
Contributed by Josh Grant.

Start of the surf race. 
U17’s Zara Richardson & Nate McKinnon undertaking  a scenario as part of the first Aid competition, which they placed 1st. 
Mackay SLSC Champion Lifesaver Team – competitors, officials, coaches and parents. 

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