In case Lifesaving Sport is new to you, it was originally developed to improve the physical and mental agility of lifeguards and has since grown into an international, competitive swimming discipline that tests fitness, rescue and first aid skills. It consists of a variety of fun and challenging activities that take place in and out of the water at swimming pools and the beach. Individual events include Manikin Tows, Line Throws, Obstacles and Simulated Emergency Response. 

Lifesaving Sport is a tradition that has been ongoing since the foundations of RLSS in 1891. From the very beginning, competition and public demonstration were used to engage swimmers and educate the public. In fact, the RLSS founder, William Henry, was himself a champion swimmer who represented Great Britain in water polo at the 1900 Olympic Games, and at swimming in the 1906 Olympics Games (winning a Bronze Medal). William Henry believed that sport could be used to combat the dreadful drowning toll of the late 1800s. 

Today, Lifesaving Sport continues to be, not only a competitive and dynamic international sport, but also an important vehicle to engage young people in lifesaving and RLSS UK’s humanitarian goal to prevent drowning. In 2022, tragically 37 people aged 19 and under died from accidental drowning in the UK, and RLSS UK hopes that this new video will inspire children, teenagers and young adults to learn valuable lifesaving skills through sport. 

Lifesaving Sport is a great way to get into lifesaving – no two training sessions or competitions are the same! You can get into Lifesaving Sport from as young as eight years old with our Rookie Lifeguard Programme. All you need is some swimming ability and lots of enthusiasm – you’ll learn the skills along the way!

- Lee Heard, Charity Director

For further details about Lifesaving Sport, visit: www.rlss.org.uk/lifesaving-sport