Lifesaving athletes dominate at Victorian Endurance Championships

Lifesaving athletes dominate at Victorian Endurance Championships

Victoria’s most determined and powerful lifesaving athletes came head to head at the Victorian Endurance Championships at Half Moon Bay Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday 22 November.

With over 150 athletes from 20 lifesaving clubs across the state, competition was fierce both on the sand and in the surf, as athletes made a swimming start on their summer in lifesaving sport.
 

Ocean Grove SLSC took home state bragging rights with a final point score of 113, just ahead of home club Half Moon Bay SLSC on 90 and Anglesea SLSC not far behind on 75. 

In the Swim, Lach May from Torquay SLSC took out the race as an U19 competitor and LSV Coordinator Senior Sport Tom Mitchell said he looks like one to watch for the season ahead.

“Lach proved to be a very strong competitor on Saturday, dominating the U19 swim events,” he said.

“In the women’s it was tight between Sophie Thomas from Torquay who won the U19’s Swim and Sam Bennett from Half Moon Bay SLSC who won the open race.”

In the Surf Boats, Torquay Bretteurs were too strong for the Mordialloc crew, taking home state glory.

“Both crews rowed strongly to finish close and will be looking forward to hitting some surf as we get into the season,’ said Mr Mitchell. 

It was ‘deja vu’ in the Ski events as both Russel Fox from Half Moon Bay SLSC and Maddy Hurst from Anglesea SLSC won the Men’s and Women’s Open Ski events for the second year running.

“Russel and Maddy both shone in their respective events, showing it will take competitors something special to beat them this year,’ said Mr Mitchell. 

Taking to the sand it was all about Inverloch SLSC in the 5km Run, with the club taking out the top four places in the Open Men’s, including Luke Foster who took home gold. 

Finally in the Men’s Boards it was Nicholas Thomas from Ocean Grove SLSC who took the race out overall ahead of Guy Kinsey and Blake Sweeney (also both from Ocean Grove).

Torquay SLSC recruit Carter Graves, who was in Victoria last summer as a member of the Californian Wieland Shield team, won the Open Women’s Board Race, narrowly beating young gun Piper Harrison from Point Leo SLSC. 
 

Developed in 2013 in response to the huge popularity of long courses such as the Coolangatta Gold, the Victorian Endurance Championships appeal to lifesaving athletes who want to take their fitness to the next level. 

For full individual results, click here.

Overall point score 
 

IMAGES FROM THE DAY

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