Ocean Grove capitalises on home sand at state champs

Eventual Flags winner (pink) Patrick Kenney from Anglesea SLSC. Photos: MICHAEL CHAMBERS

THIS season’s state champions of lifesaving have been crowned after three days of intense competition in Ocean Grove.

Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) overcame more than 25 Victorian clubs to claim the Life Saving Victoria (LSV) Senior Championships 2023 on home sand this past weekend.

More than 800 athletes from across the state made the drive to the Bellarine battling it out across three days of fierce competition in swim, board, ski, beach, surf boat rowing and lifesaving events, displaying rescue ready skills used on patrol each season between the flags.

More than 800 lifesavers arrived to Ocean Grove over the weekend to compete.

Ocean Grove concluded the weekend with a sizeable 458 points, ahead of Mentone Life Saving Club in second (376 points) and Mornington LSC in third (251 points).

The club also took bragging rights in the open ironman, with under 17 competitor Campbell Asher winning the open event, as well as the under 17 ironman.

On the sand, Julia Phillips from Anglesea SLSC was open women’s beach sprint champion, and was also part of the gold medal winning open women’s and open mixed beach relays.

Jan Juc SLSC’s “Bow Ties” surf boat crew taking on the waves.

Lorne’s surf boats again dominated as Lorne Chops and Lorne Edge rowed their way to victory as open men’s and women’s surf boat champions respectively.

LSV senior manager sport Chris Schleusener, who was in attendance at his first Victorian senior championship, commended the athletes, officials and administrators for their efforts.

“Victorian lifesavers are among some of the top lifesaving athletes in the nation, and it is incredible that the skills and comradery they put on display this weekend translate directly to lives saved in, on and around Victorian waterways,” he said.

Close finishes were a familiar sight over all three days of action.

“Lifesaving sport is truly unique and in addition to the training and dedication it takes to be a high performing athlete, these people are a driving force keeping communities safe between the flags and beyond.”

LSV’s summer sport season is far from over, with the Victorian Junior Championships coming up at Warrnambool SLSC from March 10-12, and the Australian Championships in Perth from March 25 to April 2.