NS to Host Lifesaving Championships

The Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service has been chosen to host the second and third annual Canadian Surf Lifesaving Championships.

The inaugural Canadian Surf Lifesaving Championship was successfully hosted by the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service in August of this year, at Risser's Beach in Lunenburg County.
Locations for the 2001 and 2002 Canadian Surf Lifesaving Championships are to be determined.

Canada's lifesaving sport commissioner, Doug Ferguson, said Nova Scotia is the obvious choice for growing the sport of lifesaving, a sport which only recently gained International Olympic Committee recognition.

"Nova Scotia is uniquely positioned to develop this sport," said Mr. Ferguson. "There is great talent, excellent participation rates among athletes, a lengthy coastline with great beach access and, most importantly, the championship has the full support of the Lifesaving Society at the provincial level. With the remarkable level of involvement and familiarity with the sport of lifesaving, Nova Scotia is the ideal place to develop and build this exciting and energetic sport."

Nova Scotia athletes fared well at the 2000 Canadian Surf Lifesaving Championship, receiving medals in all 10 events, while competing against interprovincial clubs from British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.

Most notable in the competition was Jason Cross of Eastern Passage. The 10-time reigning Nova Scotia ironman, captured gold in the first ever Canadian Ironman. Mr. Cross, who captained Canada's National Lifesaving Team at the 2000 World Lifesaving Championship, also medalled in the rescue tube rescue race, the men's rescue board race, the Canadian taplin relay, the surf teams race, the 4x90 metre beach relay, and the rescue board rescue race.

More information is available on the Nova Scotia Lifesaving Society website at: http://www.nsls.ns.ca/2000cslc .

The Nova Scotia Surf League is operated by the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service, a joint project of the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission and the Lifesaving Society, Nova Scotia Branch.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A complete list of results for the 2000 Canadian Surf Lifesaving Championship is available by e-mailing <[email protected].>