Lifesaving Sport has been a huge part of my life, shaping my journey from childhood to the present day.

Through this sport, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to travel the world, competing in all the home nations, France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, South Africa, Australia (twice!), and soon, China. I owe these experiences to GBR Lifesaving and RLSS UK, whose support has allowed me to represent my country on the international stage. 

Since earning my first international cap at the 2013 Commonwealth Championships in Canberra, Australia, my journey in lifesaving sport has been an incredible one. Over the years, I have established my own lifesaving club, Race Pace Yorkshire, and competed in two World Championships, two European Championships, and three Commonwealth Championships, alongside a slew of other international meets. My commitment to the sport sees me training six to seven times per week in the pool, complemented by two strength and conditioning sessions.

It has not been an easy road—balancing training, competition, and life’s challenges has required dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice. But it is a journey I have enjoyed tremendously and one that continues to drive me forward with every race, every challenge, and every opportunity to compete on the world stage.

In August 2024, I travelled to the Gold Coast to compete in the World Lifesaving Championships, where I achieved:

• 9th place in the Rescue Medley
• 4th in the team SERC
• 3rd in the Obstacle Relay
• 3rd in the Oceanman Relay (an open-water event)

Following Worlds, I embarked on a campaign to qualify for The World Games, the pinnacle event for non-Olympic sports, held every four years, one year after the Olympics. From August to February, I worked tirelessly towards this goal, competing in some of the most prestigious events on the lifesaving calendar, including the German Cup, III Spanish Cup and the French International Meet. These events bring together world-class athletes, providing an invaluable opportunity to race against the best, refine my skills, and continue developing as a competitor.

One of the standout competitions in my season was the DLRG German Cup, held in Warendorf, Germany, in November 2024. This incredibly well-run event takes place on an army base near a picturesque ‘gingerbread’ German town and always attracts a high-calibre field. I had the honour of being selected to open the competition and conduct the athletes’ oath, a privilege I will never forget. Racing against top international lifesaving athletes, I finished the competition with a silver medal in the Rescue Medley, placing second to two-time Olympian and 200m Obstacle World Record holder Kacper Majchrzak. I also secured 4th place in the 50m Manikin Carry and 4th overall in the individual standings.

Another major event in my season was the III Spanish Cup, held in Elche, Spain. While the German Cup is arguably the most competitive lifesaving event outside of a major international championship, the Spanish Cup featured fierce competition. I travelled to Spain alongside my compatriots, James Blaby, Asier Lopez & Amaia Lopez, to take on some of the best lifesaving athletes in Europe. I was pleased to come away with a bronze medal in the Rescue Medley, narrowly missing silver by just a tenth of a second. I also finished 4th in the 50m Manikin Carry, adding to my experience against top-level opposition.

The final meet of my season was the French International Meeting, held at the Olympic Water Polo venue in Paris. This competition attracted elite lifesaving athletes from across Europe and featured a €1,000 prize purse for the winner of the 50m Manikin Carry Skins event. The event was ultimately won by Rescue Medley and Super Lifesaver World Record holder Francesco Ippolito, a dominant force in the sport. I finished 6th in the event and once again travelled with my best friend, James Blaby. I was also pleased to secure another bronze medal in the Rescue Medley, rounding off my international racing campaign on a strong note.

Despite my best efforts, I ultimately finished 9th in the Rescue Medley in the World Games qualification rankings, narrowly missing out on selection. While it was disappointing, every setback presents an opportunity. I have since been invited to compete in the test event in Chengdu, China, in my two strongest events—the Rescue Medley and Super Lifesaver. This is an incredible chance to race against some of the best lifesavers in the world, push my limits, and showcase my abilities on an international stage.

I would like to express my gratitude to ILS, the City of Chengdu LOC, and the IWGA for this opportunity. I also want to thank RLSS UK and GBR Lifesaving for their continued support throughout my journey. I am excited to represent myself, my team, and my country as I take on this next challenge at the end of March.