Lifesaving

Lifesaving was the original driving force behind the development of swimming as a competitve sport. Both marine and fresh water environments attracted swimmers, andinevitably resulted in death by drowning. The initial lifesaving activities were confined to the rivers and lakes, which led to the creation of the Royal Lifesaving Society in England. Other European countires followed this example. Surf lifesaving developed in Australia in 1907 in response to drownings at local beaches in Sydney.