Surf lifesaving may be in the depths of the off-season, but that hasn't stopped Wollongong's top lifesavers from remaining dedicated to their skills.
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The winter means pool lifesaving season swings into high gear and a host of Illawarra youngsters are preparing to contest the Australian Pool Rescue Championships on the Gold Coast this week.
Warilla-Barrack Point will take a seven-person strong squad to the competition, while Bulli will also send a talented contingent featuring Zara Sharman, Chelsea Jones and Holly Holmesby up to Queensland.
The athletes head up to the competition in fine form, having recorded numerous impressive performances at the recent NSW titles.
For Warilla-Barrack Point, much of that success comes down to the hard work of emerging ironman star Matthew Sperring, who has dedicated his time to help develop the children's skills in what is a highly technical sport.
Manager and father Craig Burke said all the kids have benefited greatly from their time working with Sperring.
"All the kids are extremely excited," Burke said. "It's their first Aussie Titles for all except Jackson and Kira, who went last year.
"Matthew Sperring was with our club and is a very handy pool rescue swimmer, he's taken it upon himself to coach the kids. He saw some potential in the kids, they went away to state and did really well, so we thought it would be interesting to send them off to nationals as well."
The Warilla-Barrack Point squad is made up of Kynan Burke, Jackson Walsh, Logan Doubell, Layke Shipley, Yasmin Schuldt, Kira Dale and Makynli Dale, with six of those athletes securing medals at the state championships.
Given how much success they had at the NSW titles, Burke said the kids are eyeing off more medals at this week's competition.
"We went up to state with no expectations, to come home with 17 medals, it was great. Having done so well, we should go alright at the Australian Championships. The kids are hoping for medals, Jackson and Layke especially should go well."
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