Nova Scotians Attend Tryout Camp

Seven Nova Scotians will be attending the Canadian national lifesaving team tryout camp being held in Halifax from Aug. 27 to Aug. 31.

Twenty-five of the top lifeguards from across the country will be participating in pool and beach sessions at Dalplex Pool and Lawrencetown Beach. Twelve have been officially named to the team so far.

The Canadian national team will be travelling to Sydney, Australia, for Rescue 2000, the world lifesaving championships, being held from March 23 to April 2, 2000.

Prospective team members were selected to attend tryout camps based on qualifying times for beach and pool events submitted last September. The Halifax camp will be the third and final selection camp. The first was held in Ottawa in May and the second was held in Vancouver in July.

Of the seven Nova Scotians attending, only Jason Cross of Eastern Passage has been named to the team so far. Other Nova Scotia hopefuls include: Tavis Austen, Antigonish; Lori Borgal, Halifax; Neal Durling, Prospect; Dave LeBlanc, Sydney; Chris Stewart, Halifax; and Nancy Witty, Wolfville.

Nova Scotia Lifeguard Athlete Profiles:

Tavis Austen St. FX University varsity cross-country team, 1997-98, 1998-99. Competitor at United States national lifeguard championships

Lori Borgal Competitive swimmer with the Halifax Trojan Aquatic Club Dalhousie varsity swim team, 1999-2000 Nova Scotia female surf swim champion, 1998

Jason Cross Six-time competitor at United States national lifeguard championships Eight-time Nova Scotia run-swim-run champion, 1998-99, 1991-1992, 1995-98 Ten-time Nova Scotia ironguard champion, 1998-92, 1994-98 Four-time Canadian lifeguard challenge champion, 1990-93

Neal Durling McGill Redmen varsity swim team, 1998-99 Former competitive swimmer with the Halifax Trojan Aquatic Club Competitor at United States national lifeguard championships

Dave LeBlanc Dalhousie varsity swim team, 1991-95, 1998 Former competitive swimmer with the Cape Breton Dorados Four-time Canadian lifeguard challenge champion, 1994-97 Two-time competitor at United States national lifeguard championships Nova Scotia surf swim champion, 1996, 1997

Chris Stewart Dalhousie varsity swim team, 1998-99 Nova Scotia surf swim champion, 1998

Nancy Witty Two-time competitor at United States national lifeguard championships Nova Scotia female ironguard champion, 1995, 1997, 1998

The Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service is a joint project of the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission and the Lifesaving Society, Nova Scotia branch.

For more information on the world lifesaving championships, check the New South Wales Surf Lifesaving website at www.surflifesaving.com.au and click on Rescue 2000.