Local lifesavers battle on the beach in South Melbourne

ATHLETES from Anglesea SLSC, Jan Juc SLSC, Lorne SLSC, Ocean Grove SLSC and Torquay SLSC made their way to South Melbourne LSC for Life Saving Victoria (LSV)’s second beach carnival for the 2022-23 season.

The day played host to more than 100 of Victoria’s best beach athletes, with strong results falling the way of both Surf Coast and Bellarine clubs.

Overall, Anglesea placed third for the carnival with 67.5 points, thanks to a double threat performance from Cooper Stanley, who won both the open and under 19 men’s beach sprint.

Anglesea teammate Pierre Lee took out both the open and under 19 beach flags and a win in the open mixed beach relay in a composite team with Seaspray SLSC and second in the open men’s beach relay, teaming up with Hampton LSC.

Acting manager aquatic sport David Potter said it was great to show off LSV’s athletes’ rescue ready skills on the first day of the patrol season at a bustling inner-city beach.

“This weekend, lifesavers at many locations across Victoria raised the red and yellow flags to mark the start of patrol season and at South Melbourne it was even more exciting to have 100 of our volunteers who will be patrolling these beaches across the summer, displaying the skills that translate to saving lives,” Mr Potter said.

“From the iconic beach flags event, demonstrating the quick reflexes and thinking required in a rescue situation, to the traditional belt and reel race, combining proud lifesaving history and modern-day rescue practices, it shows how truly unique our sport is.”

Jan Juc SLSC ultimately finished seventh in the overall standings with 27.5 points, one spot ahead of Ocean Grove SLSC with 19.5 points. Torquay SLSC notched up a 13th place finish.

The third beach carnival for the season will take place at Hampton LSC on Friday, December 16.