Members of Jasper’s Junior Lifeguarding Club traveled to Calgary over the weekend to take part in their first competition of the season.

Though only four competitors could make the trip, they were in bright spirits at a practice at the pool on Nov. 12.

Megan Warren, 11, who attended the meet, was looking forward to the weekend last Wednesday. “It’s my first meet of the year and it’s exhilarating,” she said. Teammate Nina Height, 11, added, “We love meets. It’s cool hanging out with friends.”

The four swimmers who attended the meet fared well. Heidi Schaefer came in first overall in the 14-15 age group and Nina Height came in first in the 10-11 age group.

“For Heidi that’s a big step up, she always does well but to finish first overall was a big improvement for her,” said coach Gerrad Lewin. “Nina is a quiet, consistent performer, she goes under the radar but always does exceptionally well.”

Megan Warren placed fourth overall in the 10-11 age group and Miranda Olsen came in seventh in the 9 years and under category. “Megan has just started to scratch the surface,” Lewin said. “And as a coach I’m most pleased with Miranda’s performance because she only really started to swim this fall.”

Events at the competition include tow with fins, in which participants swim 50 metres then tow a mannequin 50 metres; line throw, in which competitors toss a rope to a person in the water; throwing accuracy, in which members throw the rope at a target; and obstacle swim, in which racers swim under an obstacle while doing laps.

The events are designed to simulate realistic life-saving? challenges, such as swimming under a victim to take hold of them from behind.