THE Bradford on Avon club provided two champions at the finals of the Royal Lifesaving UK National Championships at Sheffield.

More than 200 lifeguards and lifesavers, from the national teams of Ireland, Scotland and Wales and 10 regional English Teams, competed at the Ponds Forge Centre.

Volunteer Bradford club lifeguards Geoff Williams, a retired chartered surveyor from Southstoke, near Bath, and Pamela Bougeard, a teacher at King Edward's School, Bath, became UK national age group champions.

The duo train at Bradford on Avon swimming pool cand Williams triumphed in the men’s over 60’s class, while Bougeard was victorious in the ladies over 50s section.

Both have been competing for around five years,but their success was a first for the Bradford club.

The championship consisted of four elements, a line rope throw, a speed event where competitors coil up and throw a rope accurately, to reach and pull in a casualty and a swim and tow – a strength and stamina test, swimming out to reach and tow back a casualty to safety.

They also had to complete a pool aquatic initative, dealing with a previously unknown water-based emergency situation, with the rescue of up to eight casualties and a life support initiative, an unknown simulated accident testing land-based resuscitation and first aid skills.

The duo and David Fielding, from Keynsham, were part of the 10-strong West Region team, which having qualified through area and regional competitions, finished fifth in the Master's (30yrs+) competition.

For more information about lifesaving, contact the Bradford on Avon club via the website boalsc.org.uk.

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