Hundreds to compete in beach lifesaving event

Caroline Harker smiles at the camera on the beach and stands alongside on of her sons. They both have long blonde hair. Caroline wears sunglasses and a dark green jumper. Her son wears a grey cap and dark grey hoodie. Image source, Darrien Rozier/BBC
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Caroline Harker was competing for the first time at the event alongside her son William

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Hundreds of people of all ages will descend on a beachfront to compete in a lifesaving competition.

About 300 people are taking part in the Eastern Regional Lifesaving Competition hosted by Waveney Surf Life Saving at Southwold, Suffolk, until Sunday.

Throughout Friday, children aged between seven and 13 will compete in the sea and on the beach in a range of disciplines before those aged 13 and above compete on Saturday and Sunday.

Nick Ayers, competition organiser and chairman of Waveney Surf Lifesaving Club, said it was set to be an "action packed" few days.

Body boards rest on a beach while people mingle together nearby and under gazebos that have been set up.Image source, Darrien Rozier/BBC
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Hundreds of people will take part in the Eastern Regional Lifesaving Competition over the next three days

"It's all about fun, it's about getting into the water, having a go, putting everything to play that you've practiced across the season and years," he said.

"It's a real family orientated sport, it really draws in everybody from the community."

Competitors will take part in a range of events including swimming and board paddling races as well as beach sprints and board rescues.

Nick Ayers smiles at the camera on a beach. He has brown hair and wears a pink and blue top. He is standing under a gazebo on the beach. Image source, Darrien Rozier/BBC
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Nick Ayers in charge of the event hoped it would promote the sport to a wider audience

Mr Ayers hoped the event, which has been running since 2018, could help promote the sport and raise its profile for other big sporting events.

"Brisbane [2032 Olympic Games] is happening in a few years so anything we can do now to really promote the sport, promote surf lifesaving, and hopefully it'll be part of the Brisbane games in the next few years," he added.

Caroline Harker and her sons, William, 12, and Hugo, 8, are competing in the event.

This will be Ms Harker's first time competing in the Masters category.

"I'm a bit nervous, but really excited," she said.

"I just love it. I've always been in the sea and loved it, but now I can actually swim properly in the sea and that has changed my life, so I'm very excited about the competition tomorrow."

William and Hugo both said they were "excited" and said it was "amazing" to be competing.

William got into lifesaving after initially wanting to become a lifeguard and he inspired his brother to do the same.

A man wearing a red helmet and red buoyancy aid holds a red dingy boat on the shoreline. Image source, Darren Rozier/BBC
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Brighton Surf and Life Saving Club has attended the event alongside other Suffolk and Norfolk clubs

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