Leeds lifeguard scoops national lifesaving award

A member of Leeds City Council’s sport and lifestyles team has received a prestigious national lifesaving award.

Following an independent assessment and appraisal by the UK’s leading provider of water safety and drowning prevention education, the IQL/Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), Leeds lifeguard Emily Jones has been named as this year’s national IQL Lifeguard Triathlon UK champion. In achieving this award, Emily, who is based at John Smeaton Leisure Centre, received top marks in a number of different categories. This included attaining outstanding scores in her CPR assessment, timed swims and an in-depth written exam paper containing 66 questions based on the eighth edition of the lifeguard manual.

On hand to present Emily with her award at John Smeaton Leisure Centre was Helen Pendlington, customer engagement manager for the IQL/RLSS.

The council’ sports and lifestyle team provides over 8000 children with Water Safety Education throughout the year, whilst offering staff, teachers, coaches and the disabled the chance to earn a variety of rescue training awards. Forming part of the city’s wider Lifeguard Charter which was introduced in 2012, hundreds of training and refresher courses are also delivered to both new and experienced lifeguards.

Whatever your age or specific requirements, there is something for everyone at all of the council’s 13 leisure centres through its new ‘Active Leeds’ offer. Replacing the former ‘Bodyline’ initiative, Active Leeds is aiming through its leisure centre programme to provide users with an enhanced and innovative experience which utilising the latest technology, will also help to boost general participation in health and fitness across the city.

To find out more about Active Leeds and what is on offer, please see: https://active.leeds.gov.uk/

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member with responsibility for sport, said:

“To be named as this year’s national IQL Lifeguard Triathlon UK champion is an unbelievable achievement and is testament to not only the immense dedication and skill of Emily, but also the training programme offered through the council’s Sports and Lifestyles team. To receive such high marks across a range of different categories is exceptional, and it goes without saying how proud we are of Emily who is based at our very own John Smeaton Leisure Centre.

“We want to ensure that young people especially are able to benefit from our Water Safety Education programme. With that in mind, it is brilliant therefore that each year to see thousands of children take part in the training, along with many other adults, staff and teachers.”

Notes for Editors:

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is the Drowning Prevention Charity and the UK’s leading provider of water safety and drowning prevention education. For more information, please see: http://www.rlss.org.uk/about-us/our-organisation/