Day 3 of National Teams competition at Rescue 2008 World Lifesaving Championships in Berlin, was a day of ups and downs for Canada.

Will Walters set a Canadian record in a morning heat of the 100 m Rescue Medley with a time of 1:09.24. In the next heat, Scott Van Doormaal beat that with a time of 1:08.66. Both men qualified for the B-final; Scott finished third (11th overall) and Will finished fifth (13th overall).

Canada’s women qualified for the B-final in the 4 x 25 m Manikin Relay and finished fifth (13th overall). The men were disqualified in their heat of the same event.
Team Canada was the last team out in the Simulated Emergency Response Competition. Our on-site reporter (Lorraine Wilson-Saliba) said, “they delivered an outstanding performance, but were disqualified for using equipment not provided as part of the competition. Apparently, the team activated the watch they wore into the event. Needless to say the mood is quite somber at the moment.”

The team now heads to the beach at Warnemünde for the surf events on Friday and Saturday.

National Team members are: (men) Jason Cross (NS), Jordan Duggan (ON), Nelson Giraldo (PQ), Alex Griffith (ON), Scott Van Doormaal (ON), William Walters (BC); (women) Renata Jaciw-Zurakowsky (ON), Laura Kendall (ON), Chantique Payne (ON), Emmanuella Ruel (PQ), Christie Smith (ON), Allyson Tayler (ON). Canada’s team is coached by Don Burton. Shanna Read is team manager.

The World Lifesaving Championships (Rescue 2008) are sanctioned by the International Life Saving Federation. Lifesaving sport – the only sport developed on humanitarian principles – is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation. The Lifesaving Society – Canada’s lifeguarding expert – is the governing body for lifesaving sport in Canada.