LSV to resume events on the Surf Coast with Endurance Championships

THE Life Saving Victoria (LSV) season returns to the Surf Coast on Saturday for the first time in eight months for this year’s Endurance Championships at Cosy Corner.

The Endurance Championships set the first of many physical challenges for athletes at the start of the Life Saving Season, known for its long-distance events as the name suggests.

With surf lifesaving events expected to resume at pre-COVID normal pace, director of sport at LSV Aaron Green is excited to see patrolling members returning to action both this week and into the future.

“Maintaining fitness has been a bit of a challenge during lockdowns with pools being closed, other places being shut down and not being able to train with your teams, so it’s good to see people getting back into competition before trialling season,” Green said.

“It’s a great way to start our season on the Surf Coast.”

Events set to take place, dependant on age at the Endurance Championship, include a six-kilometre or 10-kilometre ski event, a four-kilometre or six-kilometre paddle, a one-kilometre or two-kilometre swim and a two-kilometre or four-kilometre run.

Two weeks later, LSV takes its season down the coast on November 27 when Jan Juc SLSC hosts its junior and senior craft carnivals, meaning athletes from the under 14 age group to the seniors will be eligible to compete.

Events for this competition will fall back to the more familiar shorter distance requirements that lifesavers are used to, but according to Green, Jan Juc provides more challenging water conditions than most other beaches – which plays as a major drawing card for athletes.

“Jan Juc is often seen as a great beach to race because of the challenging surf conditions,” Green said.

“There tends to be a lot of excitement when we head to Jan Juc, which is really good compared to some of the other events that are considered less challenging and don’t test the athletes as much.”

Ocean Grove SLSC will be next on the Surf Coast to host its junior carnival from December 4-5.

“It’s really about reactivating the clubs and reactivating the members to get their minds back into life-saving to start mixing and enjoying each other’s company,” Mr Green finalised.

“It’s really exciting to have these events running and we are looking forward to seeing as many people as we can back into racing.”

Head to lsv.com.au/2021-2022-lsv-aquatic-sports-carnival-calendar for the full LSV event calendar.