Le Meridien Al Aqah unveils Final Details of the UAE’s First Lifeguard Championship

Levels of excitement are escalating on the UAE's East Coast as eager lifeguards prepare themselves for the 1st UAE Lifeguard Championships 2006, a fun-packed, endurance-testing event which takes place on Saturday, July 1st, 2006 at Le Meridien Al Aqah beach resort.

The event, which is the first of its kind in the region, will see teams of lifeguards from across the UAE participate in a range of grueling activities, including mock rescue attempts and relay races (both in the pool and on the beach).

Thus far, 10 teams have come forward and, with four members per team, spectators will have the chance to see whether the Grand Hyatt Dubai or the Oasis Beach Hotel has stronger lifeguards or whether those from the Madinat Jumeirah are quicker off the mark than those from Wild Wadi. Teams from leading Le Meridien hotels in the UAE and Emirates Palace are also participating.

“I can’t wait until Saturday,” said an exuberant Stewart Hodsoll, Leisure Manager at Le Meridien Al Aqah.

“Whilst making for some great spectator sport, this is also an important opportunity to raise the level of awareness surrounding water safety issues in UAE whilst simultaneously affirming the region’s growing commitment to swimming pool and beach safety at its hotels and other resort area,” Hodsoll added.

Representatives from governing bodies including the Royal Lifesaving Society of Great Britain (RLSS), Ellis & Associates US, the American Red Cross and the UAE Swimming Association will be overseeing proceedings on the day.

Peter Whittall, a UK national expert in Pool and Beach lifeguard water safety management has flown to the UAE this week to participate in the organisation of the championships. Peter, a well respected national figure in the UK is representing the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM) and the Institute of Qualified Lifeguards (IQL).

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