Over 100 of the top lifeguards in the UAE will be competing in the 8th UAE National Lifeguard Championship to be held on 15 December 2013 at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina in Dubai.
Sanctioned by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), this one day challenge is promised to be bigger and better than ever, with one team and individual being crowned as UAE’s ultimate lifesaver.
Launched for the first time in 2006, the event has grown into a landmark event for lifeguards in UAE. Patrick Antaki, General Manager, Le Meridien and Al Aqah and co-Founder of the UAE LGC said “The UAE National Lifeguard Championship is a great opportunity for local lifeguards to demonstrate their skills and physical fitness as well as provide an opportunity for the community to network and share information. Furthermore, it helps increase awareness of water safety and I am delighted to see a record number of teams from the region signing up this year. It is a great way for hotels, companies and venues that employ lifeguards to offer them this opportunity to compete against each other and meet like-minded people in their industry they may never had the opportunity to meet without this event”.
Chris De Nil - Recreation Director of Le Meridien Mina Seyahi and The Westin Dubai commented, “We are honoured to host this years’ event on our property and are committed to providing a fantastic experience for competitors and supporters alike”.
And in true competitive style this years’ host and last years’ winning team laid down the gauntlet to all other teams when team leader and Recreation Operations Manager, Inesh Mohan said “Our teams are well into their training program for this event and we should have no problem defending our title on home ground”.
The event is open to all qualified lifeguards employed at hotels, swimming pools, water parks and beaches. This year’s highly competitive event will feature up to 24 lifeguard teams – male and female - from across the country, competing in 7 challenging events which include a 1km Beach Run Relay, Swim / Run / Swim, 400m Surf Swim, 120m Casualty Pick-up, 120m Swim Relay, Beach Flags and 90m Beach Sprint. The top three teams in each event will be recognised on the day at the gala dinner prize giving as well as the crowning of the overall top 3 teams and also the best individuals on the day.
Although the emphasis is primarily on lifeguard participation and competition, the NLC aims to promote Water Safety Education and spread the message of water and beach safety throughout the UAE. With the existence of strong sea currents, rising beach visitors and the increase in the number of swimming pools across the country, water safety awareness is of critical importance.
