Ottawa, Ontario 2009 – The following team members have been appointed to the Canadian National Team and Canadian Development Team, for the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships. These elite Canadian athletes will be competing in Edmonton, Alberta June 12 – 14, 2009.

Men Swimming for the National Team:

• Scott Van Doormaal (ON)
• Nelson Giraldo (QC)
• William Walters (BC)
• Brent Trevisan (ON)
• Jordan Duggan (ON)

Men Swimming for the Development Team:

• Grant Harding (ON)
• Ian Kendall (ON)
• Derek Westra-Luney (BC)
• Mario DiCosmo (ON)
• Cameron Mackendrick (ON)

Women Swimming for the National Team:

• Chantique Payne (ON)
• Laura Kendall (ON)
• Jennifer Ellison (ON)
• Audrey Prayal-Brown (NS)

Women Swimming for the Development Team:

• Meaghan Read (NS)
• Alyce Sutcliffe (ON)
• Marie-Eve Chamberland (QC)
• Annick Bernard-Giasson (QC)
• Brittany Shaw (ON)

The RLSS Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships are sanctioned by the International Life Saving Federation. The Canadian Team will be competing against other Commonwealth nations in pool events. The team has a new look with hopes of a strong overall performance at the international championships.

Lifesaving sport is a unique combination of competitive swimming and timed, simulated rescue drills. It is fast paced and demanding. Through swimming, use of rescue equipment, or performing manikin rescue, lifesaving sport tests the athlete’s speed, endurance, agility, coordination and strength in the pool and surf.

Lifesaving sport is the only sport that has been developed based on humanitarian principles. The Lifesaving Society – Canada’s lifeguarding expert – is the Canadian governing body for lifesaving sport, a sport recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation.

For 100 years, the Lifesaving Society has worked in Canada to prevent drowning and water-related injury through its training programs, public education campaign, safety management services, and lifesaving sport. Over 500,000 Canadians participate annually in the Society’s lifesaving, lifeguard and leadership training programs.

For more information, please contact:
Shanna Reid, Team Manager, Lifesaving Society 519-386-9235 Shannal.reid@hotmail.com

Visit www.rlss2009.com for more information on the 2009 RLSS Commonwealth Conference and Championships.