The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is a National Governing Body for Lifesaving Sport – a competitive sport that gives athletes an opportunity to challenge their lifesaving skills against the clock, and against their peers. The sport is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Commonwealth Games Federation. It is also the only sport whose skills are first learned for humanitarian purposes. 

RLSS UK strongly believe that developing sporting ability through lifesaving is an integral part of our mission to educate people across the UK and Ireland in water safety; in turn protecting families from the sudden and devastating impact of drowning. The charity’s aim as a National Governing Body is to provide an inclusive range of opportunities to increase participation in lifesaving activities. 

For this reason, the society are proud to be launching a brand-new suite of Sport Awards as part of the National Lifesaving Academy (NLA).  

About the Sport Awards 

Due to launch soon; the NLA Sport Awards have been developed by Lifesaving Sport experts at RLSS UK to enhance lifesaving skills and build fitness. The Sport Awards are part of the NLA programme; and can be completed either on their own or in conjunction with the National Lifesaving Academy Bronze Awards.  

The Sport Awards will launch with two initial stages. Stage I will provide an introduction to Lifesaving Sport; challenging participants to improve their swimming, overall fitness, and learn the early techniques required to start competing. 

Stage II will further develop participants performance across a number of disciplines (Manikin Carry, Manikin Tow, Line Throw and Obstacles). Athletes have the option to focus on one event, or develop their skills across multiple events.  

Charlotte Moss, Qualifiations and Awards Manager at RLSS UK said, “The new National Lifesaving Academy Sport Awards have the potential to grow our sport like we have never seen before. The Sport Awards are designed to be more accessible to more people; they’re easier for instructors to implement and teach in swimming clubs and swim schools compared to our previous lifesaving sport pathways.” 

How to Take Part 

Once launched later this month, RLSS UK Lifesaving Academy Instructors, Tutors, and Mentors will have access to a Sport Endorsement within their online accounts to enable them to train and assess the Sport Awards in their lifesaving club, swimming club, or swim school. Aspiring future athletes should get in touch with their local lifesaving club to enquire about participating in the awards. 

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said,

“Participating in Lifesaving Sport will improve your fitness and will also open the door to entering lifesaving competitions in the future. These competitions happen all over the UK and all around the world and can be a fun way to meet others within the Sport!”