UAE lifeguards save their best for national championship

Big crowds flock to beach to watch 26 teams show off their talents in running, swimming and rescue operations.

In at the deep end: competitors take the plunge in National Lifeguard Championship at Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah. Satish Kumar / The National

FUJAIRAH // One hundred and thirty lifeguards took to the water off Fujairah’s coast on Tuesday – but, fortunately, not for an emergency.

The 26 teams of lifeguards from across the country were taking part in the10th National Lifeguard Championship.

Participants competed in events to show off their talents in swimming, running and rescuing, while crowds of spectators and supporters watched anxiously from the shore, cheering and hoping for their team to win.

“The atmosphere is so energetic and competitive. This is my first time here and we were practising and exercising for about three weeks,” said Michael Goday, 22, a Filipino lifeguard who works at Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi.

“We are five in one team and we took part not only to be one of the winners, but also to spread awareness of the importance of being a lifeguard and how difficult our job can be.”

Jayar Maglalang, another member of the Emirates Palace team, said that the annual event made lifeguards appreciate how important they were to the community.

“Being physically fit, well trained and attentive are the core values of our job,” said the 23-year-old Indian.

“It’s not an easy thing to have and keep, it requires hard work and dedication. Therefore, such events can work as a reminder of how important our job is to the community.”

Competitors started the day by doing a one-kilometre run on the beach before completing a 400-metre swim, followed by another run and swim.

Later, there was another 1km beach run plus a rescue activity and other events.

The winners of the best individual lifeguard in the men’s and women’s categories were Nasun Nayanajith, from Le Meridien Al Aqah, and Chantelle Du Plessis, from Wild Wadi. The men’s and women’s teams from Wild Wadi won first place in the teams category.

Ms Du Plessis, a 21-year-old South African lifeguard, said: “The competition was rather difficult. We had a problem with the sand; it’s very soft and not easy to run on, but it’s plenty of fun.

“We’ve been practising for the past four months and we are glad to have the chance to participate in such an amazing event.”

Hernina Ayoub, 45, an Indian lifeguard supervisor for Dubai Municipality, said: “The weather is great and the winds are soft, it is well organised and each year, we notice an improvement.

“We had a small issue with the jellyfish – one of our team members was stung by a few of them.”

Patrick Antaki, the UAE NLC committee chairman and general manager of Le Meridien Al Aqah hotel, where the competition took place, said that the event highlighted the importance of lifeguards in ensuring swimmer safety, but that it also aimed to educate people on beach safety.

“Their job requires full awareness and they should be continuously attentive and prepared to save a life,” he said.

“Everyone should understand how difficult it can be, and that’s one of the main goals we try to achieve throughout this championship.”

The championships were established 10 years ago and first took place in 2006 at Le Meridien Al Aqah, which was chosen to celebrate the 10th anniversary.

Since its beginnings, the championships have hosted more than 800 lifesavers, competing in more than 17 events for the title of the UAE’s best lifeguard team and best individual.