With the 2018 Envirobank Country Championships just around the corner we profile some of those athletes looking to make an impact when competition gets underway at South West Rocks.
Young sprinter Stirling Crawford loves the thrill of running fast.
Buoyed by the confidence of making his first Interbranch representative team last December, a meet where he finished second in the Flags, Stirling enters the championships in strong form on the back of some excellent results at a local level.
He will have a busy schedule at South West Rocks doubling up in both the U14 and 15 age groups and is making the most of his time at Cudgen Headland after beginning his time at Cabarita SLSC.
Stirling Crawford is part of a new generation of sprinters coming out of the Far North Coast that includes his sister Claudia herself an accomplished beach athlete.
With the challenge of his first start at the Australian titles looming on the horizon he will be out to this weekend a winning one on the beach of South West Rocks.
Name:
Stirling Crawford
Club:
Cudgen Headland SLSC
Age Group:
U14
Events you are planning to contest:
U14 and U15 Sprints and Flags, Relays, All Age and March Past
Previous appearances or results at Country Champs or other major events:
I made it on the FNC Interbranch team this year and came 2nd in my Flags. I came 1st in sprints and flags at the QLD UNI Secondary Schools carnival and all of my local carnivals. Also I came 1st at the Cudgen Classic Gift which was a bit of fun. I have also been doing pretty well at the Fastest Man on Sand carnivals.
How long have you been involved in surf lifesaving?
Since 2012 when I moved from Narromine, in the Central West of NSW. I started off at Caba and moved this season to Cudgen.
What do you enjoy most about being a member of a surf lifesaving club?
I love competing and hanging out with friends on Comp days. I have made a lot of really good friends not only in my Branch but all over NSW and QLD. I am also enjoying patrolling at Cudgen.
How has your training been going for the Country Championships?
Training is going pretty good. I do track training with Phil and my sister Claudia 4 days a week and club President Adam Mills is always a great support and coach for us Beachies. I got a new JM board for Christmas so I have tossed in a bit of board training too much to the surprise of my team mates.
What are your goals for the Championships and the rest of the season?
My goals are to ace it in the beach events at Country and have a good crack at the U15 events. In the future I am focusing on making good results at State and at my first AUSSIES in WA. I would like to make it back onto the Interbranch Team again too.
Do you have any pre-event superstitions or preparations?
Mum always cooks pasta before a carnival. I get a good night’s sleep so I can wake up focussed on the job.
What are you most looking forward to about Country Championships?
Hanging out with the boys!
Are there any surf athletes you admire or have found to be an inspiration and why?
Jake Lynch the ultimate Beachie of course. He is a very focussed and strong athlete and he represents Australia in the sport. Also Ky Hurst who helped me when I dislocated my elbow 4 years ago at Country in Mollymook. He helped me concentrate on a good recovery not a fast one.
Friday 2 January 2018