PoweR sURge - Surf Life Saving Australia

Thursday April 18, 2013 •Issue 1 • sls.com.au/aussiesPower SUrgeTrigg Island’s two-yearwait for ski relay goldAction StationsThe best photos ofAussies 2013 so farKing’s RansomMooloolaba’s golden haul

Power Packed: Kendrick Louis, Matt Bevilacqua and Cam Cole all smiles after winning the men’s open board relay.HEAD DOWN TO THETELSTRA CHALLENGETENT...TRIAL THE TELSTRA TRACKERIN OUR ERG OR FLAGCHALLENGE FOR YOUR CHANCETO WIN GREAT PRIZESWI-FI, MOBILE CHARGING ANDLOCKERS ALL AVAILABLEFOR FREE!MOOLOOLABA’SYOUNGSTERS SETTHE PACEMOOLOOLABA’S young surf stars threwdown the challenge to perennial powerhouseNorthcliffe in an exciting first day of finals atNorth Kirra.Northcliffe has won the carnival pointscoreeight times in a row but Mooloolaba showed thefight for this year’s crown will not be one-sided.The Michael King-coached Sunshine Coastclub started its carnival brilliantly with fourgold medals in an hour of power – collectingthe open men’s and women’s board relays, aswell as the under-19 women’s board relay andthe under-19 ski relay.The open men’s team of Matt Bevilacqua,Cam Cole and Kendrick Louis was too slick forNorthcliffe’s B team.It was another B team causing an upsetin the open women’s board relay final whereMooloolaba’s Ella Brown, Maddy Dunn andKirsty Higgison combined to out-race higherratedrivals and claim gold ahead of NorthBurleigh and Northcliffe.In the under-19 women’s board relayDunn won her second gold with, BronteHartland and Teisha Jenkins, ahead of NoosaHeads and Currumbin.Mooloolaba’s run of success continued inthe under-19 men’s ski relay with William Bain,Joel Bevilacqua and Ryan Paroz winning fromNewport and Warilla Barrack Point – givingTasmanian-born Bevilacqua boys double gold.In a big day for Sunshine Coast clubs, JettKenny, son of ironman great Grant Kenny andex-Australian swimmer Lisa Curry, celebratedhis first Australian championships gold medalwith a sprint finish win for Noosa Heads withhis under-19 board relay team (above).In what was a tight race throughout, Kennybuilt on the work of teammates James Porterand Rhys Burrows to get Noosa into a narrowlead as he reached the beach and then racedaway from second-placed Newport and thirdplacedWanda.In the under-17 surf teams finals, the boys’gold medal was won by Newport’s David Euers,Jayke Rees, Lachlan Reid and Oliver Signorini,while the girls’ title went to Northcliffe’s team oftalented under-15s Sally Allen, Alyssa Koenen,Greta Petersen and Jess Unicomb.Wanda claimed gold in the under-19 Taplinrelay, with Danielle McMahon, Elyssa Pierceand Taylar Puskaric finishing ahead of City ofPerth and Avoca Beach.02 | Aussies 2013 Thursday 18 April, 2013

A DOZEN OF THEBEST FOR MoffBy Graham CallaghanGOLDEN CLAIM: Manly’s CandiceFalzon in a winning frame of mindat the end of the Ski Relay – Manly’ssecond straight win.CANDICE CLAIMS Back-to-BackGOLD FOR BIRTHDAY GIRLOLYMPIC kayak paddler Naomi Flood ledManly to back-to-back open women’s skirelay gold medals at the 2013 AustralianSurf Life Saving Championships in perfectconditions on Day Three at North Kirra.Flood celebrated her 27th birthday inperfect style as she teamed with DevonHalligan and Candice Falzon to take the skyblues to victory ahead of North Burleighand Mooloolaba.Leading off with her customary power,Flood gave Manly a 10-metre lead after theopening leg before North Burleigh’s TenilleDevine fought back against Halligan to pulllevel and set up a thrilling finish.Last paddlers Falzon and North BurleighLiz Pluimers set off together and Pluimers,a former women’s professional serieschampion, was able to open a small lead onthe paddle out to the turning buoys.However Falzon proved again she is agritty competitor in teams competition andfought back to catch the vital wave close tothe beach and sprint away to victory.“Candice was gutsy as all hell,” Flood saidas she hugged her teammates. “To get ontothat wave was amazing. This is an awesometeam and I’m just stoked.”Minutes later West Australian club TriggIsland ended a painful two-year wait whenit scored a mighty win over Northcliffe andAvoca Beach in one of the most excitingopen men’s ski relay finals in recent years.In 2011 Trigg looked to have the ski relaygold medal in their keeping until their lastpaddler struck trouble and the memory ofthat loss drove Reece Baker, Dan Humbleand Brendon Sarson to victory today, andwas also the spark for wild celebrations afterSarson crossed the finish line.The former Ironman competitor put ina powerful final paddle and was too fast forNorthcliffe’s Olympic kayak gold medallistTate Smith in the sprint to the finish.“We have a great ski team at Trigg andwinning today is awesome,” Sarson said.“We’ve been working on this for a coupleof years.”DAMIEN ‘MOFF’ MOFFREY and his dedicatedcrew from BMD Northcliffe just continue toraise the bar for SLSA records.This week captain-coach Moffrey, at theyoung age of 42, steered his patrol team (above)to win a record 12th consecutive Aussie title.Only ‘Moff’ and Trent Rowe have been inall 12 winning teams and during Northcliffe’sreign 15 lifesavers have joined their ranks totaste success.Northcliffe amassed 74.43 points overthe five disciplines to win from AlexandraHeadland (69.90) and Coogee (67.90).Moffrey said the key to their success washaving six dedicated team members who couldmake good quick decisions in critical situationsin all disciplines in any conditions.Lucas Allan is the new face in the team thisseason with Dr Drew Moffrey making a returnto fill the vacancy created by Stuart Snell’swithdrawal for personal reasons.Completing the team is Kathryn McKenzie,who also won the open female championlifesaver title, and Nick Pluimers.Bundaberg (67.58) won the under-17 patrolchampionship from Alexandra Headland(58.58) and Northcliffe (55).Michael White, from Alexandra Headland,won his fourth open champion lifesaver title insix seasons.Under-19 champion lifesavers were BradleyDoughan (Alexandra headland) and ShaniCopley (South Port SA); under-17 winners wereLachlan Bruce (Manly) and Charlotte Webber(Noosa Heads); while in the under-15s thewinners were Thomas Webber (Noosa Heads)and Jemma Smith (Umina).The Maroochydore team of April Burnettand Georgie Van Panhuis struck gold in theunder-17 first aid competition.BOATS CREWS READY TO MAKE A SPLASHGraham CallaghanTOP boaties from all over Australia gather atNorth Kirra beach today hungry to win 2013Aussie gold on Sunday. Head boat referee Tony‘Torch’ Haven said a total of 335 crews woulddo battle over the next three days.Again the reserves is the best supporteddivision with 84 crews entered, closelyfollowed by open women’s crews and openmen’s outfits.Haven said all the top crews were here onthe Gold Coast with Bryce Munro’s Mona Valecrew chasing a hat-trick of wins in the openmen’s championship but it will be open slatherin the open women’s with the champion SouthCurl Curl crew not defending their title.Mona Vale will be brimming withconfidence after winning the surfboat relaytitle yesterday from Tannum Sands and SouthCurl Curl with defending champs CurrumbinVikings fourth.sls.com.au/aussiesAussies 2013 | 03

GRANGE Vintage: The Grange Masters surf boat crew making a splash at North Kirra.KY’S EYES ON THE PRIZE: Champion Ironman and twotimeOlympian Ky Hurst with his focus on the finish.CAMARADERIE: Just loving the Aussies.WADE A MINUTE: Starters in the Over 50s surf race show they’ve lost none of the skills of yesterday. Former two-time Ironmanchampion Dwayne Thuys (far left) celebrated his 50th birthday with two gold medals.PATCH-WORK QUILT: Popular Northcliffe Life MemberTerry Fitzpatrick all patched up for the run of his life.04 | Aussies 2013 Thursday 18 April, 2013

LORD BYRON: Champion Byron Bay Ironman Glen Lawrence shows the style that has made him one of the legends of the sport.FLAGGED: These two Masters go right down to the wire insearch of Aussies gold.PONY EXPRESS: This board paddler preparing for a hairy ride.TRUE GRIT: Not going to catch me.SHORED UP: Board paddlers manage the North Kirra shore break.sls.com.au/aussiesAussies 2013 | 05

MastersMaking WavesTwo-time Australian Ironman championDwayne Thuys celebrated his 50thbirthday in style, grabbing a swag ofmedals with Surfers Paradise teams,including gold in the 150 years boardrelay and ski relay.North Burleigh’s national championIRB driver and coach Andy Kelckhovenis back to winning gold in masters’ beachflags. The ‘baby’ of the 35-39 yearsdivision, Kelckhoven won from JeremyRowlston, of Newport, and Bart Stainesof North Cottesloe. The North Burleighace had to be at his best at as he waspushed by Rowlston, a former Australianbobsled driver.Golden Girl Lee’s Medal MagicBO Derek may have become famous asthe perfect 10, but even she can’t matchNorthcliffe’s Lee Vrolyks (pictured above).After two stunning days of competition atNorth Kirra, Vrolyks is a perfect 11!The 30-year-old made an amazing debutin the 2013 Australian Surf Life SavingChampionships masters competition, claiming11 gold medals from 11 events.In her first season of eligibility for masters,she was an unstoppable force in bothindividual and teams competition.She smashed her way to six gold medalsin individual events and the board rescue onMonday, and backed it up with five team goldson day two.It was a wonderful return to competition forthe former Ironwoman series contestant after abreak of seven years.“When I first started training this season Iwas more helping a friend train and I was justgoing to do masters, and now I’m doing someopen stuff as well,” Vrolyks said. “I’m just reallyenjoying it. I haven’t competed for seven yearsand it’s just great to get back into it, to feel fitand healthy – I can eat whatever I want now.“I did my last year in the professional seriesST Kilda’s Masters crew, who rowed in theSarie Lowdon boat, had extra big smiles afterthey won the 120 years women’s surf boatfinal in convincing fashion.The crew - Kate Durant (stroke), VictoriaFields, Cindy Plowman and Emily Mansfield -quickly cuddled Sarie Lowdon aftertheir victory.Turns out Sarie is sweep Matt Culka’s mumand started working full time and it was justtoo hard to put the effort in.“When you’re used to doing well it’s hardto do it half-heartedly but now I don’t feel thepressure. I’m not doing it for that kind of thing,it’s more about fun and feeling healthy.”The 30-year-old madean amazing debut in the2013 Australian Surf Life SavingChampionships masters competition,claiming 11 gold medals from 11events.Vrolyks started the carnival with high hopesafter performing well at the recent Queenslandchampionships but couldn’t foresee riding atidal wave of success.Day one of competition saw her win the30-34 years board, surf, ski, Ironwoman andrescue tube races, and team with Tiarne Smithto win the board rescue.On Tuesday she was part of the winning110 years surf team with Smith and JoanneMarrable, the 110 years board relay, ski relayand Taplin relay with Marrable and AnnaBallara, and the double ski with Ballara.MUM’S THE WORD FOR SUPER SAINTSand although they are based at St Kilda inMelbourne’s Port Phillip Bay which has nosurf, the crew travels to Jan Juc each weekendto Lowdon’s home to experience somewhitewater action.“It was totally the girls who decided toname the boat after mum. It was their decisionbecause they are grateful of her help atweekends,” Matt saidByron Bay club coach Glen Lawrenceenjoyed the Northern NSW outfit’s bestever result at the national titles, withthe club bagging eight gold medals,seven silver and eight bronze. Lawrencecollected four gold gongs himself, takingout the 50-54 years ironman, surf andteamed with Geoff Brodin to win theboard rescue title. He joined Brodin andPaul Irwin to take out the Taplin. ByronBay placed fifth in the masters pointscore.The boaties gave their senior citizens RonDavidson OAM, 85, and Ken Murray, 79,pride of place to watch the 2013 mastersracing on Monday. The two distinguishedhall of famers have 135 years ofexperience between them and they said itwas surfboat racing that kept them alive.Davidson has been with the boaties sincehe gained his bronze medallion at NorthBondi in 1943. Murray gained his bronzemedallion at Swansea Belmont in 1950.Warriewood, from Sydney’s NorthernBeaches, may not have big numbers intheir masters’ team but they certainly havea fair sprinkling of quality. They won gold,silver and bronze medals at the Aussiesand one boat crew made a final andanother was knocked out in a semi-final.“We only have about 20 competitors butwe are gradually gaining strength as ourmedal count indicates,” said spokesmanAndrew ‘Gunna’ Dunn.Masters pointscore top 10: Northcliffe225, Noosa Heads 198, Mooloolaba159.5, Queenscliff 157.5, Byron Bay149, Maroochydore 131, Redhead108, Alexandra Headland 102,Currumbin 101, Maroubra 94,Swansea Belmont 94.06 | Aussies 2013 Thursday 18 April, 2013

Sweeping success for Broome BoatiesTHE girls from Broome have been travellingAustralia winning gold medals in 160 years surfboat championships.To round off their successful season the girlscame to North Kirra on Tuesday to win the goldmedals which were the first national gongs theclub has won in its 25- year history.Sweep Peter Selten said the long trekto Queensland was certainly worthwhile,especially when you can take home their club’sfirst Australian medals of any colour.“We feel like we have travelled all fourpoints of the compass but it’s certainly beenworthwhile,” he said.The crew, Donna Jamieson (stroke), CarieSelten, Simone Fountain and Yindi Newman,Masterstrains at Cable Beach at 5am four morningseach week where the temperature is alwaysaround 28 degrees.“We haven’t spotted any crocodiles yetbut have seen plenty of tropical marine lifeduring our early morning sessions,” saidsweep Selten.WE’RE FORHAVING A GOsls.com.au/aussiesAussies 2013 | 07

Talking Surf Life Saving and SportMichael JehIllicit Drugs in SportIs Surf Life Saving a real sport? Does it deserveto be ranked alongside the other majorsporting codes in Australia? Does it deserve tobe in that elite company?Here’s another way to look at that samequestion; does ‘sport’ deserve Surf Life Saving?At a time when mainstream sport is coppingsome fierce damage to its brand value, muchof it self-inflicted by the actions of boofheadathletes from the football codes, cricket andeven swimming, can Australia’s true eliteathletes please stand up and save lives? This,ladies and gentlemen, is what Surf Life Savingdoes. It’s not a real sport because right now,sport almost doesn’t deserve us!What does it really mean then, to beoperating in a world where everything you dois assessed in marketing terms, as if “brand”can actually speak to the essence of what youdo every weekend at your local club? Wheredoes brand fit in when you’re getting slammedby huge seas or fighting a rip to save a child’slife? Do you ever wonder why brand valueeven matters when you’re pounding the sand,feeling the pain in your legs, the burning inyour lungs and wondering why you’re doingthis at 5 am when you know that you’ve got areal job to go to, an assignment to finish andthere’s no big pay cheque waiting for you atthe end of your beach patrol tonight? Maybejust leave all this brand stuff to the rich footycodes because no one really cares about SLSA’sbrand, right?Wrong. This is precisely that “glass half-full”moment that can set your sport apart fromthe perception of spoilt, over-indulged andarrogant athletes who are doing their bestto ensure sport destroys itself. This is youropportunity to showcase what it means tobe supremely fit, outrageously talented andsurprisingly humble. It’s a rare combinationthese days – this bizarre notion that talent,skill and decency can co-exist in an elitesporting environment. A world where winningis everything you’ve been striving for and yetnot worth pursuing at all costs. A world whereyou can showcase the extremes of humanendurance but its main purpose was born froma calling to save human lives. It’s as simple asthat – getting better at saving lives. What othersport can lay claim to that sort of brand value?This is your big opportunity, your momentin the sun, the Nationals in April 2013. WeIt is your opportunity, in a sea of mediocrity in sport, to setstandards for your own behaviours that showcase the SLSA brandexpect more of you, we will hold you to higherstandards and ironically, we will judge youmore harshly. It is a measure of respect for thehistory of the Surf Lifesaving movement thatbehaviours we have almost come to expect ofother sports are seen as an act of betrayal byour heroes on the beach.It is the privilege and the curse of anypremium brand that the benchmark is set thatmuch higher. It is your opportunity, in a sea ofmediocrity in sport, to set standards for yourown behaviours that showcase the SLSA brandin the sort of light that will make us reflect onthis week gone by (as we read of yet anotherfooty scandal) and we can ask the question:does sport deserve us?Michael Jeh is an Oxford-educated, formerprofessional cricketer who runs the “Illicit Drugsin Sport” lifeskills programs for SLSA. Look out forhis provocative article on respecting women in thenext edition of the Aussies on beach newspaperWhat’s OnON BEACHBeach sprints beginU15 & U17 Taplin relaysOpen & U19 Men’s Rescue Tube RaceOpen Surf teamsBACK OF BEACH ACTIVITYFREE Morning yoga in the park - Stretchup for a big day of racing with our freemorning yoga sessions located on thegrass area behind North Kirra SLSC.Classes cater for all levels and ages andBYO water bottle and towel or matt toall sessions. Starting at 6am on Friday– Sunday mornings, these classes ledby professional instructors will haveyou starting your morning relaxed andrejuvenated.NOTICE BOARDFREE Aussies Shuttle services - The 2013Aussies shuttle services are the mostconvenient way to get to the event. Withservices running all throughout the dayfrom 5.30am – 5pm, the runs to andfrom various locations throughout theSouthern Gold Coast precinct and is freefor competitors and spectators. Check outthe Aussies website for the timetable.Find out what people are saying about theAussies on Twitter. Remember to use thehashtag #Aussies2013 throughout the week!Denise O’Loghlen @degraaXtremly very heavy sandy sand here#Kirra #aussies2013 @SLS_Online.4/10 on the sand scale! Goin 2 havegood calfies!Uploaded by Bernadette WallacePrince Shazi @PrinceMiiinceFeels like I’m one of the spectators at ausnationals. Thanks to @SLS_Online fortweeting aus nationals results.Show your passion for the Aussies. Upload your own image on Instagram using the hashtag #Aussies2013facebook.com/lifesaving sls_online youtube.com/user/slsaofficialslsa_officialAll Championship photos availableonline at harvpix.com