Sharman excels at New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships

The 200m super lifesaver race.

Despite being one of the toughest races on the pool rescue program, it’s the event that Bulli’s Zara Sharman thrives in. 

Sharman has recently returned from a tour of New Zealand where she represented the NSW under 18 Pool Rescue Development Team at the New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships, winning a silver medal in the 200m super lifesaver race. 

“The highlight of the trip was the silver medal,” Sharman said. “I executed my race-plan really well and was really happy with how I swam. 

“It’s all of the pool rescue events put together in one race, so it’s the hardest one we do. As a 200m and 400m pool swimmer, my endurance comes into the race. Where everyone else gets tired, that doesn’t really happen with me.”

The silver wasn’t Sharman’s only medal of the meet, with the 17-year-old winning gold in the 4x50m relay and silver in the under 19 line throw.  

Having returned from representing her state at such a successful meet, Sharman is now turning her focus to representing her country at the 2020 Lifesaving World Championships. 

“I’m really happy with how I swam in all the events and the relays.

“I want to get re-selected in NSW teams each year and then the big goal is to make the Australian team for worlds in 2020.”

Sharman’s recent success comes as she prepares for another season of traditional swimming competitions. The Corrimal swimmer claimed two silver medals at last summer’s State Championships and she’s hopeful the pool rescue swimming will help her swimming. 

“It’s all about lung capacity, the pool rescue really helps me with holding my breath in normal swimming for streamlining and tumble turning.

“It’s a fun outlet for me and gives me a break from swimming and all the pressures it puts on me.”