The Lifeguard Challenge is heating up in 2019, with Randwick City Council jumping on board with Sutherland Shire and Waverley, to make it a three Council challenge supporting Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF).

On Sunday 17 March, lifeguards from each council will take on the gruelling 30-kilometre fitness challenge from Bondi to Cronulla via Maroubra.

The course includes swimming, rescue paddle boarding, soft sand running and road running, in a true ‘Battle of the Beaches’.

Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Carmelo Pesce says it’s great to see three Councils joining forces for such a great cause.

“More than 70,000 children are cared for each year at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick and many Sutherland Shire families rely on the specialist care provided by this hospital when their children are seriously ill or injured,” he said.

“Our lifeguards do such an amazing job saving lives on our beaches each year, but they want to do more by helping to give young people in hospital the best chance of living a healthy and long life.

“It’s great to have Randwick City Council lifeguards joining Sutherland Shire and Waverley in the 2019 Lifeguard Challenge to help us take our fundraising efforts to the next level.”

“We have some of the fittest lifeguards in the country so it will be exciting to see the competition ignite come March 17.”

Randwick has 42 lifeguards that dedicated their time to patrolling Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly beaches throughout the year.

“We’re incredibly proud of our Lifeguards and the demanding job they do, providing a safe swimming environment for our community,” said Randwick Acting Mayor Danny Said.

“I have absolutely no doubt they’ll also do us proud in the Lifeguard Challenge because they work hard all year to keep their skills, training and fitness levels at the top of their game, and I’m sure this will be evident when race time comes around.

“I hope the communities of all three Councils get the chance to see and support them during the race, and help to raise money for the Sydney Children’s Hospital."

In 2018, the Lifeguard Challenge raised over $16,000 that purchased two new trauma beds for the Emergency Department at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.

"As a parent, I have first-hand experience of the superior care the Sydney Children's Hospital provides to families in Sydney's east and all of NSW, and I cannot think of a more valuable organisation to support,” said Waverley Council Mayor, Councillor John Wakefield.

“We're excited to be working with our coastal neighbours at Randwick and Sutherland Shire councils to raise money for the hospital.
“Our Lifeguards not only save the lives of people on the beach, but are doing what they can to help raise money for life-saving equipment to help sick kids.

“I am biased and have to say our lifeguards are going to give the Randwick and Sutherland Lifeguards a run for their money."
The challenge is set to take off from Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach at 6am on Sunday 17 March. The first leg of the course is a 2 kilometre paddle board to Bronte Beach.

1. Bondi Beach – Bronte Beach: Board Paddle 2km
2. Bronte Beach – Coogee Beach: Run 3.5km
3. Coogee Beach – Maroubra Beach: Board Paddle 4km
4. Maroubra Beach – Frenchman’s Beach: Run 6km
5. Frenchman’s Beach – Kurnell Beach: Board Paddle 2km
6. Kurnell Beach – Boat Harbour: Run 4km
7. Boat Harbour – North Cronulla: Sand Run 5km
8. North Cronulla – Cronulla: Swim .5km

On the day, people can watch the lifeguards put themselves to the test from vantage points along the course. At certain running points, lifeguards will be carrying donation tins for onlookers to donate.

To make a donation, visit our 2019 Lifeguard Challenge donation page.

Bitly link: http://bit.ly/2R8hPPS

#2019LifeGuardChallenge #GetOnBoard

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Sutherland Council
P: 97100944
E: alindsell@ssc.nsw.gov.au

Randwick City Council
P: 0402351459
E: joshua.hay@randwick.nsw.gov.au

Waverley Council
M: 0416 075 532
E: media@waverley.nsw.gov.au