Two golds and one bronze for lifeguard at national lifesaving championships
Triple triumph and exceptional season for Brescia House School lifesaving star Grace Prince.
When it comes to cool heads under pressure and powerful performances in the pool, Grace Prince is proving she’s in a league of her own.
The Grade 11 learner from Brescia House School, and member of Mandeville Dolphins Lifesaving Club, recently returned from the DHL SA Lifesaving Championships in Gqeberha with three medals. Competing in the junior/senior category, Grace powered her way to two gold medals and a bronze, finishing 6th overall in the tight competitive junior girls 15 to 16 age group.
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She won the two gold medals in the 100m mannequin tow with fins event and the simulated emergency rescue competition (SERC), in which a team of four lifesavers acts out a two-minute scenario to rescue multiple casualties in a simulated emergency. Grace and her team outperformed nine other teams to claim the top spot.
Commenting on her victory, Grace said: “The gold medal in my main event, 100m mannequin tow with fins, is really meaningful because it represents the many hours of work towards that race paying off, as being the best U17 girl in the country in that event – a very rewarding feeling. I am very proud of our junior team for securing gold in the SERC event after reacting and responding the best in the intense two-minute competition.”
She added her bronze medal in the 100m mannequin rescue with fins is a medal that reminds her of the respect she has for other incredible girls she races with. “It also reminds me of the high performance level that I am capable of and strive for.”
Grace has had a good 2025/26 season, having also competed as part of the SA President’s Youth Team at the Orange Cup Lifesaving Championship, held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in December. In her favourite race, the 100m mannequin tow with fins she placed 7th overall, out of 111 athletes in her age group.
She is now preparing to compete in the Gauteng team at the SA Interprovincial Championships, which will be held in Durban on May 2 and 3. “I am looking forward to just enjoying myself, the racing and getting to be part of a team of experienced high performing athletes.
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“The inter-provincial champs are much more team-focused than the national inter-club competition, and allows for a more social gala experience. I look forward to seeing my friends from various clubs across the country and competing for Gauteng with my team mates.”
Behind every great athlete is a great mentor. For Grace that is her coach, Heather Morris-Etyon. She thanked her for the exceptional coaching and guidance provided during the past two seasons.
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