Lifesavers test endurance to begin beach season

LIFESAVERS from across the state were put through their paces to begin the Life Saving Victoria (LSV) beach season at the annual Endurance Championships at Cosy Corner over the weekend.

Local athletes from Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club, Fairhaven SLSC, Jan Juc SLSC, Lorne SLSC, Ocean Grove SLSC and Torquay SLSC needed to rely on their rescue and fitness skills last tested during the 2021/22 season with two- and four-kilometre beach runs and board races, one- and two-kilometre swim races and six- and 10-kilometre ski races on Saturday’s race list.

LSV acting manager aquatic sport David Potter commended the athletes for their efforts in the first state championship event for the 2022-23 summer season.

“The endurance championships are the ultimate test of our lifesavers’ fitness and skills,” he said.

“The skills demonstrated during this event, including board paddling and surf swimming directly translate to saving lives during the patrol season.”

Ocean Grove SLSC cleaned up in the Under 19 women’s board race, as Jessminda Paranavitana, Lily Hallam and Alice Moon placed first, second and third.

Torquay SLSC dominated in the open board races on home soil, following Ben Harris and Caitlin Huell’s respective wins in the men’s and women’s 4km course.

Anglesea SLSC’s Jasmine Hume was a standout in the Under 14 women’s events, taking out the 4km beach run, second place in the 2km swim and third in the 4km board race, while Jan Juc SLSC’s Will Richards had success in the Under 17 men’s 6km ski race, winning gold.

Lorne SLSC made it a family affair, with father Tristan Read winning the open men’s 2km swim, paving the way for son Billy who took gold and silver in the Under 13 2km board and 1km swim events.

“Sport serves not only as active training for our lifesavers but is also highlights their dedication to lifesaving and their craft,” Mr Potter said.

“With some of our athletes training daily in preparation for the summer sport season, meaning Victorians are in safe hands this summer.”

The next championship event of the LSV 2022/23 season will not take place until February 11-12, where senior lifesavers head to Lorne for the Victorian Masters Championships.