Surf’s up for rescue boat championships at Barry Island

Some of the world’s most talented surf life savers will have their abilities tested to the limit at Wales’ first ever Rescue Boat Championships, held at Barry Island on 12 and 13 September.

Since the sport began in Australia during the 1980s, surf life saving rescue boat teams have competed in shores around the globe, but this will be the first time that such a championship has taken place in Welsh waters.

The weekend of water sport drama is being hosted by the Surf Life Saving Association of Wales, in partnership with the Vale of Glamorgan Council. The action will be played out off the north side of Whitmore Bay beach, Barry Island, in front of the St John’s Ambulance / lifeguards’ clubhouse.

Spectators can watch the competition for free from the beach or promenade, as crews will pit their wits against each other in a single patient rescue, a tube rescue, and a mass rescue.

Both days will start from 10am, with the heats taking place on Saturday 12 September and the finals the following day.

It will be the second action-packed water sports contest to be held at Barry Island in as many months, following on from the high-octane Zapcats powerboat championship which entertained crowds at the beginning of August.

For further details about the Surf Life Saving Rescue Boat championships please call Chris Parry on 07974 128882 or email powercraft@slsawales.org