Lifesaving SportThe Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is the National Governing Body for pool-based Lifesaving Sport - a sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation. Lifesaving Sport is the only sport whose skills are first learned for humanitarian purposes. As showcased in our new promotional video, Lifesaving Sport is a competitive and dynamic international sport, with a variety of fun and challenging activities that take place in and out of the water at swimming pools and the beach. It is also an important vehicle to engage young people in lifesaving and support drowning prevention. About Lifesaving Sport Lifesaving Sport Home About Pathways The History Meet our Athletes and Coaches All Sport Awards Competitions National Speed Lifesaving Championships National Lifesaving Championships Simulated Emergency Response Championship (SERC) Rookie Lifeguard Festivals Recognised Competitions Roles Officials Coaches Team Managers Competitor Organisers Event Roles Performance GBR Lifesaving Anti Doping Transgender Policy for Sport Records & Results Apply for National Records Records Results Latest News Events RLSS UK Shop Visit Shop Lifesaving Sport Equipment Officials, Coaches and Timekeepers Essentials Speeds 2026: Results from Record-breaking Competition 20/03/2026 On 14–15 March 2026, RLSS UK welcomed a record number of entries to Sandwell Aquatics Centre for the National Speed Lifesaving Championships (also known as Speeds). More than 600 swimmers from 35 clubs took part, making this one of the largest and most exciting editions of the event to date. We were also delighted to welcome the Mayor of Sandwell, who attended the event to show support for the athletes, volunteers and wider lifesaving community. This was the third consecutive year the event has been staged at Sandwell Aquatics Centre, the world-class venue built for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Athletes aged 12 and above pushed themselves to their limits across two packed days of competition, striving for national titles, personal bests, and record-breaking times. Belfast Olympia brought the largest squad with 59 swimmers. At the other end of the scale, three clubs competed with just a single swimmer each: Polzeath Surf Life Saving Club, GAFIRS and Fast Aquatic Heat. The event also welcomed four new clubs making their Speeds debut: Rawmarsh LSC, Ipswich LSC, Water Safety Ireland, and Nantwich Neptune LSC. Supporting the weekend were 45 dedicated volunteers whose energy and commitment ensured the event ran smoothly.We also welcomed hundreds of supporters to the venue and were blown away by the number of family, friends, and teammates who came to cheer on their teams. The livestream enabled people to support from home, too, allowing even more supporters to be a part of the event. “A lovely atmosphere with a supportive environment in which to compete.” - Attendee Saturday Racing began with the 200m Super Lifesaver and the Rescue Medley, two of the weekend's most anticipated events. The standard was exceptional from the beginning, with Sally Marshall of RASCALS and Jess Woods of Leeds Phoenix delivering outstanding swims to take two of the first medals of the day. Sally Marshall, who went on to break three national records over the weekend, set a new national record in the 200m Super Lifesaver in the 30-39 age category, completing the event in 2:31.87m! This time surpassed the previous record of 3:02.75m by an unprecedented 30s and stood out as one of the defining performances of the weekend.Donna Wickens from Crawley Town LSC (pictured right) broke many national records, as well as the world record in the Female 50+ Masters 100m Rescue Medley, with a time of 1:47.98.The momentum continued in the Pool Lifesaver Relay, where RASCALS and Loughborough University secured strong wins. The afternoon sessions featured the 100m and 200m Obstacle events, both of which demanded speed, technical skill, and accuracy. Tess Holtaway of Hayle Surf Life Saving Club and Thomas Brignell of Beacon Life Saving Club impressed in the 100m, while Grace James and her teammate Max Geyson Holley of Rest Bay Surf Life Saving Club delivered powerful victories in the 200m. Excitement built further during the 4 x 50m Obstacle Relay, with Loughborough University and Jersey Aquatic Rescue Club securing confident wins. The day concluded with the Line Throw events, including the 12.5m, the 10m and the 3x10m relay. The Masters team from St John Berchmans Life Saving Club delivered an especially strong performance. Robert Addis and Edward Gray of Loughborough University claimed the Open 12.5m Line Throw title, while the Female 12.5m title went to Nyah Hayes and Zoe Gilliland of Leeds LSC. Sunday Sunday began with the fast, physically demanding 100m Manikin Carry. Athletes showed determination and power from the first race, with early wins secured by Sally Marshall of RASCALS and Jack Sadberry of Crawley Town Life Saving Club. The atmosphere intensified during the 4x25m Manikin Relay, where Loughborough University and Race Pace Yorkshire triumphed after a series of tightly contested races that were marked by excellent teamwork and precise transitions. The afternoon focused on the exciting manikin events. In the 50m Manikin Carry, Grace James of Rest Bay Surf Life Saving Club and James Blaby of Race Pace Yorkshire delivered standout performances. The 100m Manikin Tow brought further excitement, with victories for Heather Watson of Loughborough University and Jack Sadberry of Crawley Town Life Saving Club. One of the most dramatic moments of the weekend took place during the 100m Rescue Medley in the 19-29 age category. Two Loughborough University teammates finished just nine hundredths of a second apart, touching in at 1:21.57m and 1:21.66m in what became one of the closest heats of the event. A major highlight of the competition was another new national record. Donna Wickens of Crawley Town LSC achieved an exceptional time of 1:27.80m in the 100m Obstacles 60+ category, breaking the previous record of 1:45.84m. The Medley Relay drew the event to its finale, with supporters filling the venue with energy as they cheered on the closing races. Ripley RASCALS and Race Pace Yorkshire rose to the moment with excellent performances that provided a fitting end to an outstanding Speeds 2026. See full results Watch our Lifesaving Sport videos on YouTube. Thank You! A huge thank you to all the organisers, volunteers, officials, and the brilliant staff at Sandwell Aquatics Centre. Thank you as well to the supporters, coaches, and team managers for your unwavering dedication. Of course, an extra‑special thank you to our amazing athletes, who are at the heart of what makes this event so spectacular to watch. You all make Speeds a truly special event! Manage Cookie Preferences