Ash Bolt
Five Geelong and Surf Coast athletes had the chance of a lifetime to compete in the Surf Life Saving Australia Super Surf Teams League, raising the curtain for the iconic IronMan and IronWoman Series at North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club last weekend.
For the first time ever, Victoria fielded two teams in the event, battling it out against teams from New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia over three days of competition.
Torquay Surf Life Saving Club’s Ben Harris, Puck Klassen and Jayden Schram competed in the board disciplines, while Ocean Grove’s Iestyn Knapp and Stephanie Reade competed in the swimming and skiing events respectively.
Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club head coach Sonia Kinsey also travelled with the team, acting as team manager for both squads.
Unfortunately, water events were cancelled on day three due to a tsunami warning, but Victoria was still able to put in two days of solid competition in the water and three days on the sand.
Each event saw points accrued for the teams, with the Victorian teams finishing 10th and 12th overall.
Schram had the team’s best result, with a third placing in the men’s board race on day one, ahead of Harris in sixth.
Harris backed it up with a fifth-place finish in the mixed board relay on day two, teaming up with Warrnambool’s Mia Cook.
The teams also finished sixth and eighth in the mixed ocean relay.
“I’m very proud of our Victorian athletes for their solid competition efforts in the Super Surf Teams League,” Kinsey said.
“Although it is disappointing that day three had to be cancelled, this competition was a valuable experience, allowing LSV to bring our younger competitors interstate to race against top quality athletes from across the nation.
“We look forward to continuing to compete at more interstate events in the future.”
Lifesaving Victoria aquatic sport director Aaron Green said it was amazing achievement by the competitors.
“To make one of the teams is an achievement in itself, so to see our Surf Coast competitors mixing it with some of the nation’s best, including a top three finish for Jayden in his round one board race is fantastic, especially after such a disruptive two years for our athletes with COVID-19 lockdown impacts,” he said.
“As well as raising the curtain for the iconic Kelloggs Nutri Grain Series, which boasts our sport’s athletes, including former Victorian Harriet Brown, they also raced in one of the events, the Ocean Relay, that SLSA will take to the International Olympic Committee as they bid for lifesaving sports to be a part of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
“It is incredible to think that in 10 years’ time, we could be seeing athletes like these five young people lining up for board, surf, ski and sprint races like they were at North Bondi this weekend for an Olympic gold medal.”
