FUNDING
This is the first ever National-level University Competition held in Canada. Being as such, teams may seem tentative at spending the money required to attend such an event. Between airfare, entry fee, accommodation, food, etc. this event does have the potential to cost a large sum of money (especially for us "poor, starving students")
By establishing this competition as a National University event, there is a large potential for partial to complete sponsorship/funding by your University. Those of you who have done competitions in the past realize that lifeguard competitions are both physically and mentally demanding and are just as much a sport as other varsity-recognized events. For this reason, we encourage you to talk to your University about assistance in competition costs.
Last year, the UBC Aquatic Center got word of the "Ontario University Lifeguard Championships" - an annual event for Ontario Universities. Between our University, our Student Society (the AMS), and the aquatic center, our team of 4 was sent to across the country virtually cost-free. We were 100% funded for return trip airfare, 4 night hotel, 5 day vehicle rental, competition entry fee, equipment, and uniforms.
You may be surprised at what Universities are willing to fund in terms of sport teams in chance that their University may be recognized as the National Champions. We are hoping that by offering a National-level competition, old and/or new Canadian lifeguarding teams will have the opportunity to attend the competition with minimum personal expense.
For more information, contact Ryan Radford, competition organizer