Details were released today of ‘Le Meridien Lifeguard Championships 2006’, an exciting new training initiative – and the first of its kind to take place in the region.
Pool and beach guards from around the United Arab Emirates battle it out in an exciting and endurance testing event on Saturday, 1 July 2006.
Staged at the East Coast’s premier seafront hotel, Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, the championship aims to recognize these valuable, often lifesaving individuals whilst concurrently boosting awareness of water safety across the region.
Under the auspices of Le Meridien Al Aqah and the Institute of Qualified Lifeguards– with sponsorship secured from Coca Cola, Evian, Water Safety Products Inc., and the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management – the training event will undoubtedly make for some exciting spectator sport, witnessing teams of the region’s finest lifeguards compete in staged emergency situations and endurance-testing fitness runs and swims.
“Le Meridien Al Aqah is proud to be hosting this important event for regional lifeguards to showcase their skills, which will be run in conjunction with numerous world-renowned lifeguard associations and subjected to their regulations,” said Patrick Antaki, General Manager, Le Meridien Al Aqah.
“Not only is it important to recognize these valuable individuals, but it is also essential to boost water safety awareness across the region, whether in private or commercial pools or simply down at the beach,” he added.
Representatives from governing bodies including the Royal Lifesaving Society of Great Britain (RLSS), Ellis & Associates US, the American Red Cross and the UAE Swimming Association will be overseeing proceedings on the day.
Peter Whittall, a UK national expert in Pool and Beach lifeguard water safety management will also be flying into the UAE to assist in the organisation of the very first national Lifeguard Championships. Peter, a well respected national figure in the UK will be representing the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management(ISRM) and the Institute of Qualified Lifeguards(IQL), the UK’s leading sports management and lifeguard professional bodies.
“This is a great initiative that will create a positive marketing opportunity for the UAE to sell its commitment to swimming pool and beach safety at its hotels and other resort areas. Lifeguards play a vital role in the water safety and accident prevention,” said Whittall.
“The championships will open new opportunities for the enhancement of lifeguard training and development whilst concurrently displaying to the wider world the high professional standards of the patrol and rescue services being provided at pools and beaches throughout the UAE,” he concluded.
Le Meridien Lifeguard Championship 2006 will take place at Le Meridien Al Aqah, Fujairah on Saturday 1 July 2006 from 10 am onwards.
For further information, please contact 09 204 4500
About Le Meridien
Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts, with its portfolio of 120 luxury and upscale hotels in 53 countries worldwide, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. The majority of its properties are located in the world’s top cities and resorts throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. In the 2005 Luxury Brand Status Index survey Le Meridien was recognized as one of the top 15 luxury hotel brands. For more information, please visit www.lemeridien.com.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W, Le Meridien and the recently announced Aloft SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
