Sunshine Coast Grammar Pool Lifesaving Club proudly hosted the Queensland Royal Lifesaving Society’s Primary School Pool Lifesaving Championships, retaining the Overall Girls and Boys as well as Overall School Championship Titles.
Over 60 beginner lifesavers from various schools competed in five challenging events, showcasing their skills and commitment to water safety.
The Championships featured a series of demanding events including the 8m Line Throw Rescue, 100m Lifesaving Medley, 50m Rescue Race with kickboard, 4x25m Lifesaving Medley Relay and 4x25m Fin Relay. Each event tested the participants’ agility, technique and teamwork, with Sunshine Coast Grammar students demonstrating exceptional skills across the board.
Club President, Head Coach and teacher at Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Mrs Jeannie Baxter-Reid has been instrumental in the Club’s success having been involved with Royal Lifesaving Society and Pool Lifesaving Sport for over 40 years.
“We are immensely proud of our students for their achievements and grateful to our staff, volunteers, senior club members and parents for their support. This victory is a testament to our commitment to promoting water safety and nurturing young lifesavers,” said Mrs Baxter-Reid.
Established in 1999, Pool Life Saving at Grammar is celebrated for building confidence, teaching teamwork and encouraging participants from around the world.
Mrs Baxter-Reid’s experience and passion led to the formation of the Sunshine Coast Grammar Pool Lifesaving Club in 2019, which now boasts over 50 members from Sunshine Coast Grammar School as well as other Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria regions, with athletes ranging from 9-70 years of age.
Since its inception in 2019, where six athletes represented Australia at the 2019 Commonwealth Championships in England, the Club has gone from strength to strength and won over 150 National Championship medals at 2020 – 2024 Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships combined.
The was also honoured with the 2022 Team of the Year Award at the Sunshine Coast Sports Awards and had four athletes selected for the Australian Lifesaving Team to compete at the 2022 World Lifesaving Championships in Italy. The team was highly successful, winning the World Lifesaving Open and Youth Teams Competition.
Reflecting on the Club’s growth and achievements, Mrs Baxter-Reid remarked, “I am so proud of our young Club for achieving remarkable results in five seasons,” said Mrs Baxter-Reid.
“What I enjoy most is teaching young people how to look after themselves in and around the water, and how they can assist other people,” said Mrs Baxter-Reid.
Sunshine Coast Grammar continues to uphold its reputation for excellence in pool lifesaving, fueled by the dedication and teamwork exhibited by students, coaches, staff and supporters, and anticipates another successful season ahead.
