Lifesaving Masters to Compete in 2018 Victorian Championships this Weekend

MEDIA ALERT

LIFE SAVING VICTORIA

1 February 2018

Lifesaving Masters to Compete in 2018 Victorian Championships this Weekend

Masters competitors from around the state will meet at Lorne for the Victorian Lifesaving Masters Championships this Saturday, a series of surf and beach events set to showcase the strength and athleticism of an older generation of lifesavers!

With six competitors aged 70-plus and over 350 athletes in total, the Championships for over-30s will reveal a broad cross-section of Victorian lifesaving talent and a great day at the beach for spectators and supporters.

Masters athletes from 29 lifesaving clubs are expected to take part in the Champs, with competitors participating in a range of events including ironman and ironwoman, board and ski races, and beach events such as sprints and flags.

LSV will play host to eight interstate competitors who will travel from Christie’s Beach, South Australia, to put their skills to the test against Victoria’s best. With large contingents from Mordialloc LSC, Williamstown S&LSC, Ocean Grove SLSC and Lorne SLSC, the interclub rivalry will be another reason to head along on Saturday.

LSV Aquatic Sport Senior Coordinator Kirsty Clark is looking forward to witnessing the camaraderie within teams as well as friendly competition between clubs, in what promises to be an excellent day. 

“The Masters Championships will be great day of competition among our older competitors, with a particularly impressive number of over-sixties signed up to compete.

“It’s encouraging to see so many senior members from right across Victoria heading to Lorne on Saturday, some travelling hours to put their sporting talent to the test. We warmly welcome our visitors from South Australia and wish them the best of luck for their events.”

The Masters competition is an opportunity to shine a light on some of the long-serving volunteers who have contributed to Victorian lifesaving clubs over many years.

“Not only will Masters be representing their clubs as sportspersons this Saturday, they’re also serving as an example of how members can remain involved in lifesaving long after you’ve completed Nippers,” said Ms Clark.

“Many of this weekend’s competitors will be parents and grandparents to nippers and younger members, having already spent decades in lifesaving and introducing their families to the lifesaving movement.”

While the competing Masters are a bunch of seasoned lifesavers, LSV recognises that not all older adults feel quite so comfortable around the water. To address this, the new Open Water Grey Medallion programs at Hampton and Inverloch will run across five weekends in February and March, delivering practical education in an open water setting to adults aged 55 and over.

With an aim to increase the knowledge, experience and understanding of open water environments for everyday people, the Open Water Grey Medallion is a perfect opportunity for retirees and grandparents to enjoy their retirement to the fullest and learn to save a life.

Between sport events and education programs, Victorian beaches are set to deliver plenty of fun and enjoyment to both lifesaving Masters and keen beginners for the rest of summer. There are still spots available for the Open Water Grey Medallion, with registrations open until 7 Feb. For more information and to register, visit:http://bit.ly/2mPCNTA (Hampton) or http://bit.ly/2DmXmjN (Inverloch).

Saturday 3 February:

Life Saving Victoria Masters Carnival at Lorne beach

From 8.00am, Lorne Surf Life Saving Club, Mountjoy Parade, Lorne VIC 3232  

Event program: https://lsv.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018-Masters-Championships-Program.pdf

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