2018 SunSmart WA R&R and Belt Surf Life Saving Championship

It was old school at Sorrento Beach last weekend hosting the Rescue & Resuscitation and Belt Race events of the 2018 WA Surf Life Saving Championships on Saturday.

The R & R competition is based on the simulated rescue and resuscitation of a patient from the surf using the traditional belt and reel. It combines swimming, resuscitation, marching and drills with teams being judged against set criteria.

The Surf Belt race involves the use of the surf reel, line and belt. Beginning on the beach, the swimmer places the belt around their waist and, towing a surf line while assisted by linesmen and a reel handler, swims out to their allocated buoy, raising their hand to signal the finish.

Some of surf lifesaving’s longest standing events, and with a mix of age groups participating, many of the older competitors commented on how much they enjoyed seeing the younger athletes getting into these events!

The morning saw Sorrento SLSC taking full advantage of competing at their home beach, dominating the R & R events! There were also a couple of standout individual performances on the day with Madeline Thomson (Trigg Island SLSC) taking gold in the Open and U/17 Female Belt Race while Thomas Gallagher (City of Perth SLSC) took gold in both the Open and U/19 Male Belt Race events. Full results are available here.

A huge thank you again to Sorrento SLSC for hosting the event and to the volunteer officials for their efforts on the day.