Daijiworld Media Network

Toronto, Oct 12: A youngster with Mangalorean roots is literally making 'waves' in Toronto. Leander Pereira, all of just 21 years, is an ace lifeguard, and was a part of the Canadian team that came fourth in the 2013 International Surf Rescue Challenge held at Onjuku, Chiba in Japan recently.

Leander has been taking part in various competitions conducted by the Life Saving Society Canada for the past couple of years.  He just completed his undergraduate studies in biomedical engineering, from Ryerson University, Toronto.

Leander, now a Canadian citizen, has roots from Kadri, Mangalore. His father Lyons Oniel Pereira hails from Kadri (son of Henry and Merlin Pereira) and mother Ruth from Kulsheker (daughter of Clifford and Hilda Miranda).

The individuals for the contest were selected based on performances at sanctioned events since the World Lifesaving Championships Rescue 2012 and Canadian Surf Lifesaving Championships 2012 up to the 2013 edition of the Canadian Pool Lifesaving Championships held in June. The team invitations were issued by the national team selection committee following a call for applications from athletes from across the country.

The Canadian team at the Sanyo International Surf Rescue Challenge, Onjuku Beach, Japan included the following members: Leander Pereira,  Dieter Kreps, James Verreault, Pawel Mekarski and Dugald Thomson.

At the provincial championships, Pereira won gold in beach sprint and beach flags competitions. In Scarborough and also at the national championships in Lac Simon, Quebec he claimed gold medals in the beach sprint, flags and relay events.

Leander has been serving as a lifeguard since he was 16 years old. A graduate from Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy, Leander’s interest in entering lifesaving competitions stemmed from some encouragement he received from Adrian Wong, his supervisor at the City of Markham, who runs the Lifesaving Club of Markham.