This month, hundreds of Victorian athletes joined more than 7,000 competitors from 314 lifesaving clubs at the Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships (The Aussies)– the largest event of its kind, comparable in size to the Commonwealth Games.
Victoria brought home 11 gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze medals across water, beach, lifesaving and board riding disciplines, as well as making more than 70 finals at The Aussies.
Half Moon Bay Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) open women’s double ski team, comprising Sarah Bray and Madeleine Hurst, overcame a star-studded line-up to win the gold medal on finals day, dubbed “super Sunday”.
Anglesea SLSC were a triple threat in the rescue and resuscitation (R&R) events, claiming gold in the open female five person, sharing the podium with South Melbourne Life Saving Club (LSC) in second, as well as taking out the open mixed five person and open mixed six person disciplines.
St Kilda LSC were strong in the surf boat arena, with the Angry Otters winning silver in the open men’s and the under 23 women’s events, both swept under the experienced eye of Matthew Culka.
In the youth competition, Jemma Holt of Mordialloc LSC opened the podium for Victoria, winning bronze in the under 15 female surf race, while fellow Mordialloc competitor Samantha Barrow was a force to be reckoned with in the masters beach events, winning the 45-49 years female beach sprint and silver in the beach flags.
It wasn’t just the athletes who were successful, with eight Victorian officials receiving service awards for 20, 30, 40 and 50 years of service.
Richard Mitchell from Venus Bay SLSC and Barbara Morgan OAM from South Melbourne LSC both received awards for 50-plus years of service, Rod Costa of Torquay SLSC was recognised for 40-plus years, Graham Rice from Lorne and Kurrawa SLSCs and Michael Vafiades of Warrnambool SLSC for 30-plus years and Brighton LSC’s Colin Ellicott, Half Moon Bay SLSC’s Harry Hannas and Torquay SLSC’s William Johnson all received awards for 20-plus years.
Life Saving Victoria manager aquatic sport Simon Butterly said he was thoroughly impressed with the efforts of all Victorian athletes, officials, coaches, team managers and the other volunteers and supporters who attended The Aussies.
“As the biggest event on the lifesaving sport calendar, it takes an incredible amount of work from our volunteers to get to The Aussies,” Mr Butterly said.
“From the athletes putting in months of training every year, to the officials spending long days on the beach, the coaches and team managers for their tireless work behind the scenes, and other volunteers who tow the trailers, travel with their families and provide support to our athletes, you are all a valued part of Victoria’s strong lifesaving contingent.
“To see our Victorian athletes performing so well across water, beach, lifesaving and surf boat disciplines, balancing their chosen sport with volunteering to keep Victorians safe at our beaches, is incredibly impressive.
“Congratulations to everyone on a successful Aussies and season 2021-22. We can’t wait to see you back on the beach next season”, Mr Butterly said.
Summer may be over but lifesaving sports are not, with the pool lifesaving season having commenced at Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Centre on Sunday 27 March and the inflatable rescue boat (IRB) racing season kicking off at Mordialloc LSC on Sunday 24 April.
Victoria’s 2022 Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships medallists:
| Open female double ski 1st: Half Moon Bay SLSC (Sarah Bray, Madeleine Hurst) Open mixed five person R&R Open mixed six person R&R 45-49 years female beach sprint 60-64 years male ski race 170 years male ski relay Open male surf boat race Under 23 female surf boat race 50-59 years female longboard surfing 60-64 years male double ski race Under 19 female 2km ocean swim Under 17 male beach sprint Under 15 female surf race 35-39 years male ski race 35-39 years male 2km ocean swim 50-54 years male beach flags 60-64 years male surf race |
Open female five person R&R 1st: Anglesea SLSC (Melissa Bird, Rhianna Burke, Mikaela Dale, Georgina Gore, Alexandra Madeley) 2nd: South Melbourne LSC (Daisy Graham, Sarah Robinson, Ava Robinson, Molly McPhee, MacKenzie Michael) Under 19 mixed five person R&R 45-49 years male 2km ocean swim 65-69 years female surf race 160 years female surf boat race Under 19 male 2km run 45-49 years female beach flags 45-49 years male 2km run 60-64 years female 1km run 65-69 years female 2km ocean swim 180 years male surf boat race Under 17 male shortboard surfing 30-39 years female shortboard surfing 35-39 years male double ski 40-44 years male 2km ocean swim 50-54 years female ski race |
