Ottawa’s St-Laurent Masters Lifesaving Club placed first overall among the 189 teams competing in the Masters World Lifesaving Championship at Rescue 2008 in Germany.

After three days of competition in Warnemünde on the Baltic Sea, battling rain, unpredictable and choppy surf, 11 degree air temperatures and a water temperature of only 18 degrees, St-Laurent left the beach with 21 medals. The team collected another 12 medals in three days of pool races in Berlin. St-Laurent’s overall medal haul was 11 gold, 11 silver and 11 bronze – and featured world record performances in the pool by Tony Zezza in the 50 m Manikin Carry and Daniel Bérubé in the 100 m Tow with Fins.

St. Laurent Lifesaving Team members juggled full-time jobs and families to train several hours daily for two years in preparation for the competition. They are: (men) Daniel Bérubé, Tony Zezza, Jacques Morissette, Andy Shelp, Doug Lloyd, Philippe Lemire, Oliver Gomes; (women) Carla St-Germain, Shelley Demkiw, Christine Wagg, Donna Woodman, Christine Sutcliffe, Sue Kelly, Kristy Fleet, and Nathalie Vallières Loy (team manager). Unfortunately the team had to leave behind teammate Shelley Demkiw who broke her foot during a training camp only two weeks prior to departure for Germany.

The World Lifesaving Championships encompass three distinct championships – National Teams, Interclub and Masters. 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.

The Lifesaving Society has been saving lives in Canada for 100 years through its training programs, Water Smart® drowning prevention campaign, and safety management services. Over half a million Canadians participate annually in its swimming, lifesaving, lifeguard and leadership training courses.

For more information about the St-Laurent Lifesaving Team, contact Carla St-Germain at carlast@rogers.com or team captain Daniel Bérubé at daniel.berube@ottawa.ca. For more information, visit www.rescue2008.com.