Popularly known as “The Aussies” – the Australian Life Saving Championships signals the end of another surf season of competition.
Athletes from 51 NSW clubs will proudly fly their club caps as they go up against the best juniors from around the nation.
Open to those only in the U14 and U15 Age Groups, the Youth Championships often marks the first time that these talented young competitors have gone up against their peers on the beach or in the surf.
With the State Championships wrapping up at Blacksmiths Beach in Lake Macquarie a little over a fortnight ago all the athletes will be battle-hardened as they come out of a period of hard training with their clubs.
A number of NSW medallists will be in action during the two-day competition as they all look to add to their burgeoning trophy collection.
Some of the athletes entering the event with high hopes include Geordie Kemp (Batemans Bay SLSC) who took gold in the U14 Flags at the NSW titles as well as picking up bronze in the Beach Sprint, while Bella Williams (Cooks Hill SLSC), and Riley Dixon (Wanda SLSC) will be hoping their form which saw them win multiple medals across the U14 and U15 Age Groups at State will carry across to the national stage.
Also hoping to continue their winning streak are Elouera athletes April Druery, Holly Porter, Bridgitte Salib and Rachel Tougher who will be competing in the Beach Relay. The girls have competed together and in the same run order since Under 8s and capped off their junior careers with another gold medal at State.
Swanseas’s Nicholas Stoddart has been in great form in the water of late, while the contingent of Mollymook sprinters which includes Keeghan Norwood and Sam Zustovich among their number will be out to enhance their growing reputation on the sand. NSW Surf Sport Manager Rob Pidgeon is confident that the young NSW athletes will do their clubs proud.
“It’s a tremendously talented group of athletes travelling up to The Aussies and it really highlights the depth of surf sport competitors we have at our clubs.
“I think it’s safe to say we can look forward to some very good results from our competitors, and I would like to wish all our NSW athletes and officials the very best of luck,” Mr Pidgeon said.
The 2017 Youth Aussie Titles will be held on the Gold Coast from March 25 – 26. Further information can be found on the Aussie Hub