2025 Updates to ABNWT Competition Manual

The 2025 edition of the ABNWT Competition Manual is now available on our website, and in preparation for the 2025-2026 Lifesaving Sport season, we've made some new updates!

These updates were guided by three key principles:

  • Alignment with the current International Life Saving (ILS) Rulebook and Handbook
  • Alignment with the current Canadian Lifesaving Sport Competition Rulebook
  • Adapting rules for athletes 14 and under, since current ILS and Canadian rulebooks only apply to athletes 15+ 

Below, we've highlighted the most important updates members should be aware of.  A detailed outline of all the changes will also be available in the preface of the new Competition Manual. 

We also want to give a special thank you to the 2025 Lifesaving Sport Working Group, who generously gave their time over the summer to make the publication of this update possible: Tyler Bailer, Karry Birnie, Kerry Brager, Natasha Dewald, Desiree Janzen, Mayce Mack, Tara Sue Moore, Marlee Palmer, and Isaac Thibodeau.

If you have any questions regarding the updated content, please reach out to Amy Swedlo at AmyS@Lifesaving.org.

 

Age Group Re-Alignment

An athlete's placement in an age group is now determined by their age as of December 31st of the calendar year. 

The age groups are as follows:

  • 10 & Under
  • 11 - 12
  • 15 - 18 (Youth)
  • 16+ (Open)
  • 18+ (Masters)

In addition, the Results and Records pages on the Lifesaving Sport website will now include all Masters age groups (18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 70-74, 75+).

 

Event Changes

Pool Lifesaver Relay:

In alignment with National and ILS, Pool Lifesaver Relay has been added to the Competition Manual.

 

Unchanged Short Course Rules:

The short course rules for the following events were not changed to align with the ILS and National Rulebook, and will continue to follow branch-specific rules:

  • 100m Carry with Fins
  • 100m Manikin Tow with Fins
  • 200m Super Lifesaver

This decision was made to help ensure athlete safety and accommodate pool depth restrictions at many pools. Please note: this means that national records for these events cannot be set at Alberta and Northwest Territories competitions.

 

Mixed Relays:

To provide more opportunities for participation from clubs, particularly smaller clubs, Mixed Relays have been added for all relays. Mixed relays must have an equal number of male and female competitors. 

  • In addition, athletes can now swim up for Line Throw.

 

Provincial Championships and Junior Games

Out-of-Province Athletes:

Out-of-Province Athletes can no longer temporarily join an ABNWT club for Provincials, and can only participate as exhibition athletes representing their own clubs. They will still have their times recorded, but ABNWT medals will be reserved for ABNWT athletes.

 

Small Team Recognition:

A new "Small Team" banner has been added to the Championships to provide more opportunity for smaller clubs to receive recognition for excellence. To be considered a Small Team, the club must be competing with less than 10% of all registered athletes.

Four banners total will now be awarded at Provincials:

  • Junior Games (Small Team and Large Team)
  • Championships (Small Team and Large Team)

 

Masters Medals:

Masters medals will be awarded to the top 3 overall male and female finishers. Participation levels will be reviewed annually to determine whether additional sub-category awards can be added in the future.

 

Records

Records as of August 2025 will be retired and available to view on the Lifesaving Sport website.

We'll begin recording new records for the 2025-2026 season, drawing from previous records and past competition results to establish starting benchmarks.

The records update will be available in October. 

 

Webinars

To support members in understanding these changes, two webinars have been scheduled in the coming weeks. 

Season Start-Up Webinar: September 24

Monthly Q&A: October 15

  • This session will primarily feature the Competition Manual update, with a focused discussion of the framework and rule changes.
  • Registration: 2:00pm - 3:00pm