THE first inter-county and inter-governing body lifesaving games took place recently at Ruby Oak Pool in Holsworthy, writes Andy Squirrell.

For the last two years Aqua Stars Lifesaving Club (Holsworthy) has been taking part in Devon-based lifesaving competitions with their rookie lifesavers (school years 3-6).

This year however their coaching team decided to try something different and invited a Bude Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) Nipper team to compete against their Devon Royal Life Saving Society Rookie counterparts.

Ruby Oak Park were willing to host the event so 40 competitors made their way to the pool on Sunday, November 18 to test their skills against each other.

A number of races were held including t-shirt, under obstacle, torpedo buoy and keep the duck dry. However the highlight of the day was the mystery race.

Ruby Oak Park runs the STA Sea Scooter award scheme, training people to safely use sea scooters and the agenda of the day had a mystery race in the running order.

A safety briefing was given and the team had to race the length of the pool being towed behind an underwater chariot. Very few of either of the clubs had used scooters before and every team loved the experience.

Aqua Stars Lifesaving Club also runs the Young Leader award and as part of the qualification the day was ran by attendees of this course.

The young leaders had to work out the event logistics, order the food that every one enjoyed afterwards, start the races, brief the competitors and ensure everyone got to the start on time. A task they all did with distinction.

Larry Newton of Bude SLSC said it was a great experience for their Nippers to try some different style racing to the normal SLA events and how they had all enjoyed their afternoon.

The day wasn’t really about the results as taking part and enjoying the event were key but as always there had to be a winning team, or in the case of Year 3 and 4, two as the a team from each club drew for top placing. In the Year 5-6 age group, Aqua Stars beat Bude by a whole point!

Laura Morrish from Ruby Oak Park said it was a great event to hold and they look forward to re-hosting the event in 2019 with more teams from the two counties attending.

She went on to say that ‘these events don’t run themselves’ and she would like to thank the Young Leaders, Lorraine Buttery and Andy Squirrell for their efforts to make sure the day ran smoothly.

For more information about either club, visit www.swimaquastars.co.uk or www.budeslsc.co.uk/bude.slsc.nippers