Battle of the fittest

Caitlin Huell crossed the line first in the board division in the 2022 event. Photos: SUPPLIED

MORE than 100 athletes will take to the starting lines later this month for the first state championship event of the 2023-2024 Life Saving Victoria (LSV) season.

The Victorian Endurance Championships will take place on October 21 at Cosy Corner in Torquay and see athletes from across the state compete in long distance ski, board, swim and beach run events.

The long-running LSV tradition showcases athletes’ skills in the surf and their hard work over the winter to stay rescue ready.

Champions will be crowned in the open, masters, under 19, under 17, under 15, under 14, under 13 and under 12 divisions.

Masters competitor Nicole Matthews finishing off the board leg at the 2022 event.

Torquay locals Ben Harris and Caitlin Huell will be looking to defend their crowns in the open men’s and women’s board respectively, while Tristan Read (Lorne SLSC) and Torquay SLSC’s Harris Henderson will be looking to go back-to-back in disciplines of their own.

Jan Juc ski paddler Will Richards racing at the Victorian Endurance Championships on the bay in 2023.

LSV senior manager of aquatic sport, Chris Schleusener said he couldn’t wait for the season to get started.

“The Victorian Endurance Championships a show of the incredible skills of our athletes.

“It’s also an opportunity for the same lifesavers who patrol our beach each summer to maintain their skills and fitness to be rescue ready between the red and yellow flags.

“Victorian athletes account for a quarter of LSV’s patrol hours annually, representing an estimated investment of $1.8 million in water safety, and a further 35 per cent of our paid lifeguards are also athletes.

“The Victorian Endurance Championships is the ultimate test. I look forward to cheering on our talented athletes from across the state.”