Surf Coast and Bellarine represent state on national stage

A QUINTET of athletes hailing from the Surf Coast were part of two teams Life Saving Victoria sent to the Super Surf Teams League at North Bondi at the weekend.

The athletes raced against competitors from across the nation and raised the curtain for the Kellogg’s Nutri Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series.

For the first time in Victorian history, the state fielded two teams in the event, Victoria Blues and Victoria White, who battled it out against teams from New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia over three days of tough competition.

Victoria Blues featured Surf Coast and Bellarine-based athletes Ben Harris from Torquay SLSC in the male board disciplines and Iestyn Knapp from Ocean Grove SLSC in the male swim events.

Meanwhile, Stephanie Reade from Ocean Grove SLSC, Puck Klassen from Torquay SLSC and Jayden Schram from Torquay SLSC represented Victoria White in the female ski, female board and male board disciplines respectively.

Ocean Grove SLSC head coach Sonia Kinsey also travelled with the team, acting as team manager for both squads.

Unfortunately, water events were cancelled on day three due to a tsunami warning, but Victoria was still able to put in two days of solid competition in the water and three days on the sand.

“I’m very proud of our Victorian athletes for their solid competition efforts in the Super Surf Teams League,” Kinsey said.

“Although it is disappointing that day three had to be cancelled, this competition was a valuable experience, allowing LSV to bring our younger competitors interstate to race against top quality athletes from across the nation.

“We look forward to continuing to compete at more interstate events in the future. Thank you to everyone who supports our athletes and sport.”

Each event saw points accrued for the teams, with Victoria Blues finishing in 10th and Victoria White finishing 12th at the event’s conclusion.