Going swimmingly as Inverness pool guards are UK champs

Four Inverness Leisure lifeguards have made a major splash by becoming Britain's top team in a contest run by the UK Institute of Sport and Recreation Management.

Adding to the Inverness team's 'wave of success', one of their quartet, Lewis Macdonald, was rated fourth in the UK individual contest.

Lewis was joined by Inverness duo Michelle Dryburgh and Robert Worthing plus Nairn lad Chris Bremner to complete the triumphant team from the Bught Park facility who left teams from leisure centres and pools from throughout Britain trailing in their wake.

They won the Lifeguard Triathlon which comprised three separate elements - a theory exam, a timed swim towing a live 'casualty', and an emergency resuscitation test.

Inverness won the team contest with 88.5 points out of 100 with Pingles Leisure Centre, Nuneaton, second on 87.71 and Runcorn Swimming Pool, Merseyside, third on 87.67. They were followed by Bedworth Leisure Centre, Coventry (85.33), and Queens Leisure Centre, Derby (84.56).

The Highland heroes were the only Scottish facility to finish in the top 20.

Lewis finished on 94 points, three points behind the individual winner, Adam Porter of Coral Reef Water World from Bracknell, Berkshire.

"The triathlon tests were very demanding but it was tremendous to be Britain's top team", says Lewis, who has worked at the Inverness Leisure pools since they opened 10 years ago.

"I knew my swim time pulling a dead weight 'casualty' was strong but it was still a pleasant shock to find myself so high in the individual charts.

"Our team put in extra training for the tests but the real secret is that weekly staff training for lifeguards is compulsory at Inverness, unlike many other leisure centres.

"That means we have to live up to our qualifications on a weekly basis. It's paid off with this success which has been great for morale right through our facility. The rest of our lifeguards are also excited as they shared in our preparation and they now know they're of leading UK standard."

Michelle has been three years at Inverness Leisure while Chris has been nearly two years and Robert, originally from Golspie, only joined six months ago.

James Martin, general manager of Inverness Leisure, said: "This is a very stiff assessment of the quality and rapid response of our lifeguards and we're delighted that our team have emerged as British champions.

"Lewis's achievement in being fourth individual is another honour for him and our lifeguard team.

"It is testimony to the commitment our Board of Directors have made to investment in training. Our trainer Shelley Davies has worked extremely skilfully with all our lifeguards and she takes much of the credit for the team's success.

"It gives assurance to our customers that our pool staff are of a very high calibre, indeed the best in Britain, and we will continue with our staff development plan to maintain the high standards which are reflected in these awards."