The Royal Lifesaving Society Australia has selected the 10 top lifesavers who will represent the country at the Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships in England in September.

The five men and five women who make up the team, known as the Aussie Barras, were selected based on their performances at the 2006 Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships and the first event of the 2006 Grand Prix series.

“Each member selected continually displayed impressive performances in the pool throughout the year and will prove to be valuable members of the Aussie Barra team,” said Royal Life Saving national sport development officer, Penny Hodgers.

“The Aussie Barras are the current Commonwealth Champions and we intend to head over to England in September to retain that title.”

Every five years the Royal Life Saving Society UK hosts the Quinquennial Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships in Britain, with this year the Championships being held in Bath on 24-29 September, 2006.

Competing teams will battle it out over three days in a range of events designed to test their lifesaving skills. Events include Superlifesaver, Line Throw, Manikin rescue and tow. Details: http://www.rlss.org.uk/commonwealth2.htm