Locals give strong showing at Interstate Championships

The Victorian team at the Interstates Championships. Photo: LIFE SAVING VICTORIA

THE 2020 Surf Life Saving Australia Interstate Championships were held at Alexandra Headland on the Gold Coast last Friday (January 24), with competitors from the Bellarine and Surf Coast excelling.

Torquay SLSC saw their young athletes thrive.

Grace Harris claimed Victoria’s only race win on the day in the Youth Female Board Race.

She also finished fifth in the Youth Ironwoman race, while fellow Torquay SLSC lifesaver Archie Vernon finished fifth in the Youth Ironman race.

Vernon also finished seventh in the Youth Male Ski Race.

In the Open Ironman event, Ocean Grove SLSC’s Jesse Coulson finished ninth. Just two places behind him was Jan Juc’s Drew Green.

Green also finished 10th in the Open Male Board Race.

It was Green’s sixth year at the Championships, but his first in the Open category.

He said he was pleased with his performances.

“It was really good. I was really happy with my results up against tough competition.”

Green said he was grateful to be given the opportunity to represent his state. But if he is at the Interstate Championships in the future, he will no longer be representing Victoria, as he now resides in Queensland.

Kyalla Happ, also from Jan Juc SLSC, also delivered some strong performances.

She finished ninth in the Youth Ironwoman race and 10th in the Youth Female Ski Race.

New South Wales were eventually named winner of the championships for the third consecutive year. Queensland finished in a close second.

Victoria finished last overall, but there was very little to separate the states from third down.