A team of eight junior lifeguards from Tipton Leisure Centre competed in the 'National Speed Lifesaving Championships' at the renowned Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Smethwick on Sunday 30 March.

Officially called ‘Speeds 25’ it’s the largest competition of its kind in the UK and sees 500+ lifesaving athletes aged 12+ from across the UK and Ireland competing for national titles in what is the only sport that has a humanitarian foundation.

The Sandwell youngsters, four boys and four girls, all aged between 12-14 years old, were up against 33 other clubs from across the UK and in the 4 x 25m Manikin Carry Relay both teams displayed impressive skills, coming in seventh (girls) and eighth (boys).

In the 4 x 50m Medley Relay event, whereby fins and torpedo buoys were utilised to tow team mates back to the finish line, the boys' team showed incredible perseverance and came in fifth place in their race. Overall, the boys finished eighth nationally in the 12-14yrs age group, which is a remarkable achievement considering it’s the first time a team from Sandwell has entered.

Mitchell Davis, Swimming Coordinator at Tipton Leisure Centre, said: “ All the children have truly outdone themselves at the recent National Speed Lifesaving Championships and I couldn't be more proud of them. They participated in three tough events, showcasing their strength, agility, and teamwork and demonstrated exceptional skills and determination throughout the competition. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work and dedication and I am confident that they will continue to excel in their future endeavours.”

Tipton Leisure Centre and Sandwell Aquatics Centre are two of the eight leading leisure facilities maintained and run by Black Country-based Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT), a non-profit organisation, on behalf of Sandwell Council. Visit slt-leisure.co.uk.

Pictured left to right (Rear): Aston Hazlehurst (age 13), Ethan Lovely (14), Sriyan Vappula (14), Marceline Koomson (12). Front: Lucy Parkes-Burton (14), Avnee Deu (13), Jobhan Deu, (12) and William Fox (12).