A senior team and a youth team, each containing 12 athletes are set to complete in lifesaving sport’s premier championships, Rescue 2014.

They represent the best that lifesaving sport in Great Britain and Northern Ireland (GB&NI) has to offer and have fought they way through a tough selection process, concluding in a trial event with almost a 100 invited athletes.

These elite athletes, all members of the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) or Surf Life Saving GB (SLSSGB), will represent their country, battling it out against the best in the world in Montpellier, France, from September 13th to 29th.

Scott Wood (GB&NI Team Manager), said “I am really happy with the team the selectors have chosen, they will do us proud. They have all trained so hard to secure their places and qualify for this event, which is both mentally and physically challenging.”

Rescue 2014 is the largest and most prestigious of its kind and includes five separate competitions – World National Team Championships, World Interclub Championships, World Masters Championships, World Surf Boat Championships, and World Inflatable Rescue Boat Championships. Around 6,000 athletes are expected from all over the world to compete across the competitions.

Team GB&NI will be competing in the flagship competition, the World National Team Championships. As we have several European champions within the two squads our expectations of good results and silverware are high.

Elouise Greenwood, GB & NI team support, said: “This event is an incredible opportunity to compete at the highest level and continue to establish GB & NI on the international stage.

“Being selected to represent GB & NI at this competition is not only an honour and fantastic opportunity for our athletes, but it also helps to continue to development of lasting international friendships. Our sporting champions are extremely important role models and, working with their fellow athletes internationally, can only help the global battle to reduce drowning.”