The highest number of records ever broken were achieved at this year’s national lifesaving sport championships, Speeds 2014, organisers have confirmed.

Hundreds of competitors from across the UK and Ireland headed to the Royal Life Saving Society’s (RLSS UK) most prestigious sporting event – the National Speed Championships 2014 held at Sheffield’s International Sport Centre’s Olympic-sized pool, Ponds Forge last weekend (March 8 and 9).

Forty new records were broken across a number of events, which saw athletes including some of the UK’s leaders in lifesaving sport and members of the GB and Northern Ireland team fight it out for the title of National Champion.

As well as smashing records in events including Manikin Tow, Line Throw and Medley Relay, a number athletes also qualified for the World Lifesaving Championships to be held later this year in France (exact numbers waiting to be verified).

RLSS UK’s National Sports Development Officer, Elouise Greenwood, said: “This is the highlight of the sporting calendar for us and it was fantastic to see so many competitors push themselves to the limit.

“The number of records broke was outstanding and more than we have ever broke and Speeds events before. It just goes to show how hard our athletes push themselves to be the best in their sport.

“We are extremely proud of all those who took part and are looking forward to seeing many of them make the next round of selection for the GB and NI Lifesaving Team.

“Lifesaving sport is growing all the time and here at the RLSS UK, we intend to focus efforts on growing the sport and supporting athletes in any way we can.”

The RLSS UK’s National Speeds Championships helps to promote lifesavers’ skills, knowledge and techniques and also plays an important role in spreading the society’s water safety messages as the drowning prevention charity.

The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Coun Vicki Priestley, also attended the event at and presented Zara Williams with the award for World Best Time in the 50m manikin carry.

For more information on Lifesaving Sport and a list of all of the records broken –

Click here to see the results in the sports section.