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 What We Do Lifesaving Sport Speeds 2025: Back and Bigger than Ever! Nearly 600 competitors descended on Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Birmingham on the weekend of 29-30th March for the National Speed Lifesaving Championships 2025. Affectionately known as Speeds, the event kicked off the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s (RLSS UK) exciting sports calendar! The competition is the largest of its kind in the UK and sees athletes aged 12+ competing for national titles in Lifesaving Sport. Athletes were entered from 33 lifesaving clubs based across the UK and Ireland, with the number of entries varying from 47 swimmers by Bournemouth Lifesaving Club down to one swimmer from Llantwit Major Lifesaving Club. RLSS UK welcomed clubs participating in their first national competition, like Rhoose Lifeguard Club who came from the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales. Here’s a round up of some of the results... Saturday Events got underway bright and early on Saturday, with the fast and furious 50m Manikin Carry followed by the 50m Manikin Carry (Half). Excitement started early as Connie Millar brought in a new Speeds record in the 15-18 years category of the 50m Manikin Carry in 37.99 seconds! The hotly anticipated Super Lifesaver took place next, a selection event ahead of the Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships 2025 for the top athletes in the country. Sally Carter and James Blaby took gold for England with their impressive efforts in the Female and Open category respectively. Following the final morning event of the Mixed Pool Lifesaver Relay, which saw RASCALS medal across each category, energy remained high moving into the afternoon. Fabienne Demoor beat the pre-existing Speeds result set by her own club, Bournemouth LSC, to medal for the 100m Obstacles in the Women’s 60 years + category. In the 200m Obstacles Open Category, Beacon LSC had huge successes in the 15+ and 19+ years Open Category. Day One ended with high-energy Line Throws across each category. Jersey Aquatics snatched the gold with a fierce 15.84 second win in the 15-18 years Female category. In the Open Age Group, Crawley Town LSC saw a 00.01 second difference between their first and second place winners! You can watch the full events from Saturday here Sunday Our athletes were clearly raring to go for round two on Sunday with more record-breaking performances. Day Two started with the 100m Manikin Carry with Fins where spectators witnessed Jack Sadberry smash the British Record with a 45.38 second win! Switching to the afternoon, in the 50m Manikin Tow, Leeds LSC and Belfast Olympia dominated the top spots. The same can be said for Loughborough Students as their athletes Abby Comline, Emily Robson and Rhiannon Marchant placed first, second and third in the 100m Rescue Medley. Next came the 100m Manikin Tow - Blyth LG&SC were successful, taking wins in the 30-39 years and the 50+ years Female Category and Crawley Town LSC took multiple wins across the age categories in the Open races. Speeds 2025 ended with the Medley Relays, a highly sought after title for clubs, In the 15+ Female Category Belfast Olympia took the top spot, and Beacon LSC topped the podium for the Open category. You can watch the full events from Sunday here There were many amazing performances throughout the weekend and full results are available on the website here. Further records from the event will be shared soon! There’s still time for individuals who were involved in Speeds 2025 to give their feedback on the event, view our form here. “First time we attended and thought it was excellent. Thanks to everyone for their hard work and effort. It was a great event, and we will return.” Team Manager RLSS UK would like to thank the event organisers, staff at Sandwell Aquatics Centre and our amazing volunteers for their support throughout the weekend. A special ‘thank you’ also goes out to the athletes, coaches, team managers, parents and supporters who attended - including Rita from RASCALs who provided us some ace photos seen in this article! Without this incredible network, RLSS UK Speeds would not be possible. Manage Cookie Preferences