Cornwall livesavers compete at world championships

Competitors from Cornwall have been competing in the Lifesaving World Championships in Australia.

Clubs from Perranporth, Portreath, Polzeath and Gyllyngvase in Falmouth are taking part in the event on the Gold Coast which includes sprinting, swimming and boarding.

Thomas Trebilcock, from Falmouth, was part of a GB team that won bronze in a pool event while Terry Miller, from Polzeath, won a silver in a beach event.

Tomas Rich, 18, a lifeguard at Praa Sands said: "I train hard but it's another level really, it's such a big sport here."

The Perranporth Pixies surf boat team of Paula Bright, Kim Marie Jackson, Ruth Creamer, Becky Jeffery, Tina Pascoe and Peter Gaisford also took part.

Mr Gaisford, 69, a veteran of the Lifesaving World Championships, took part for the first time 34 years ago.

The Pixies said they enjoyed competing in "perfect conditions" on the opening day of competition.

"There’s a bit of chop and a bit of a wave," said Ms Bright, Perranporth’s surfboat captain.

"We didn’t want it to be completely flat having flown halfway around the world.

"We’re used to rowing in chop and we’re used to rowing in surf so hopefully we’re ready for it and we’ll see what happens, give it our best shot."

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