Inuvik's Northern Lights Junior Lifeguard Club completed its inaugural season with an awards ceremony on June 20.
Starting out in September 2023 with 16 athletes and two coaches, the club grew to 24 swimmers and three coaches by April of this year.
"The Inuvik Northern Lights Junior Lifeguard Club is the first and only registered lifesaving club in the Northwest Territories and is split into two groups: recreation and competitive," said head coach Shandy Onishenko. "We had a fantastic season and our athletes deserve all the recognition that comes their way."
Over the season, the athletes trained in several different areas of practice: lifesaving skills, community education, fitness, leadership and teamwork, lifesaving knowledge, and competition.
Northern Lights Junior Lifeguard Club 2023-24 awards:
Future Lifeguard
Katya Bocharova, Atlas Harder, Mackenzie Hicks, Whim Jellema, Winnie Jenks, AJ Lalonde, Nora Leon, Hope Logan, Eleanor McLeod, Hanna Robertson, Kyra Ruttan, Caitlyn Wright and Dylan Wright
Role Model Award
Dimitri Blyth, Marshal Jellema
Toughest Competitor
- Recreation: Keira Hicks
- Competitive: Marlo Jenks
Most Improved Athlete
- Recreation: Behati Harder
- Competitive: Anastasia Bocharova
Most Valuable Athlete
- Recreation: Amaris Barnes
- Competitive: Ivan Raska
