When an emergency unfolds at a public pool, lifeguards have moments to assess the situation, make decisions and act.
To help prepare for those critical moments, teams from Yawa Aquatic Centre, WaterMarc Banyule, MOVE Moonee Valley and Knox Leisureworks recently took part in Life Saving Victoria’s annual Pool Lifeguard Challenge held at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC), testing the rescue, first aid and emergency response skills they rely on to help keep communities safe.
The challenge brought together 24 teams and almost 100 lifeguards from aquatic venues across the state. Participants were assessed on water rescues, CPR, first aid, spinal management, emergency response procedures and teamwork, mirroring the real-world situations aquatic team members may encounter on pool deck.
The Mornington Peninsula Shire Active teams competed in the challenge for the third consecutive year and delivered their strongest result to date. All competing teams continued their commitment to ongoing training and professional development through participation.
Yawa Aquatic Centre
Yawa Operations Manager Alec Durie said the event provided an opportunity for lifeguards to strengthen both their technical skills and confidence.
“The placings were a fantastic reward for the effort our lifeguards put into preparing for the challenge. Competing against 24 teams from across Victoria, our Yawa teams achieved 3rd and 7th place.
“Having our teams finish in the top eight reflects the commitment and teamwork our lifeguards bring to both their training and their roles in our communities,” Alec said.
“Beyond the results, we’re proud of the way our teams embraced the opportunity to test their skills, learn from industry peers and continue building the capabilities that help keep our communities safe in and around water every day.”
For Yawa lifeguard Sienna Cecchetto, the experience reinforced the importance of teamwork and preparedness.
“The Lifeguard Challenge was a unique and rewarding experience. It was a day full of learning, fun and working together,” Sienna said.
“This experience has given me so much more confidence to deal with real scenarios in the workplace and improved my ability to work effectively as a team.”
Pictured in central image, from left to right: Ellie Davis (Lifeguard), Matildah Davis (Lifeguard), Beau Richardson (Lifeguard), Tadhg Catalan (Lifeguard), Mikaela Prest (Aquatic Manager), Alec Durie (Operations Manager), Lochlain Rice (Lifeguard), Sienna Cecchetto (Lifeguard), Kaitlyn Christie (Lifeguard), Paris Mcgrath (Lifeguard) and James Gibbons (Operations Coordinator).
WaterMarc
Tarrah, a lifeguard from WaterMarc who competed in the Lifeguard Challenge said the experience gave the team an opportunity to practice their skills and teamwork in high pressure situations.
“The day was filled with laughs, learning and lots of CPR. I can’t wait to do it all again next year!”
WaterMarc’s Operations Manager, Logan, added that the overall result of 8th place is a testament to their effort competing for the first time in the challenge.
“Over the span of 7 weeks, I watched Tarrah, Chantelle, Lenny and Mitch have consistently shown up, put in the hard work and challenge themselves to be better lifeguards.
“Their dedication, teamwork and commitment were on full display throughout every scenario and race. They represented WaterMarc with such professionalism and pride – we couldn’t be prouder.”
MOVE Moonee Valley
MOVE Moonee Valley venues Ascot Vale Leisure Centre and Keilor East Leisure Centre both participated in the challenge, improving on their previous year’s placings with Ascot Vale placing 13th and Keilor East placing 24th.
Alex Mcneill-Shaw, Operations Manager at Ascot Vale Leisure Centre, said:
‘It was fantastic to see our team’s significant improvement from last year through countless hours of training and dedication. The team represented Ascot Vale Leisure Centre with true enthusiasm and professionalism.”
Knox Leisureworks
Liv, a lifeguard from Knox participated alongside a team of four (Novalee, Holly, Will and Team Manager Daimon). Liv said she was proud of their performance at 19th place after competing for the first time in the event.
“Highlights were the wet and dry scenarios which we scored well on; we were able to greatly utilise our lifeguarding knowledge and skillset. We all learnt so much!”
Supporting safer aquatic communities
Lifeguards play a critical role in helping create safe, welcoming and inclusive aquatic environments for their communities.
While the challenge includes a competitive element, its primary purpose is helping lifeguards build the knowledge, teamwork and decision-making skills they rely on to respond effectively in emergencies and support safe aquatic environments for their communities.
To learn more, visit the Yawa Aquatic Centre website, WaterMarc website, MOVE Moonee Valley website or Knox Leisureworks website.
Key facts:
- Event: 2026 Life Saving Victoria Pool Lifeguard Challenge
- 24 teams and almost 100 lifeguards from aquatic facilities across Victoria participated
- What was involved: The challenge tested lifeguards in water rescues, CPR, first aid, spinal management, emergency response procedures and teamwork
- Yawa Aquatic Centre achieved 3rd and 7th place, with all Yawa teams finishing in the top eight
- WaterMarc placed 8th in its first year competing in the challenge
- MOVE Moonee Valley’s Ascot Vale Leisure Centre placed 13th, while Keilor East Leisure Centre placed 24th
- Knox Leisureworks placed 19th while competing in the event for the first time
- The challenge supports ongoing professional development, helping lifeguards strengthen the skills, confidence and teamwork required to respond effectively in emergencies
- Lifeguards play a vital role in creating safe, welcoming and inclusive aquatic environments for their communities.
