Lifesavers from Anglesea, Jan Juc, Lorne, Ocean Grove and Torquay Surf Life Saving Clubs were among 500 competitors who competed in back-to-back senior and junior aquatic sport carnivals at Mt Martha Life Saving Club this weekend.
On Saturday, the senior competitors put on a spectacle in swim, board, ski and rescue and resuscitation events.
The following day, the juniors took to the stage, returning to their first carnival in nine months and their first event since Victoria’s sixth lockdown lifted.
LSV aquatic sport manager Simon Butterly said for many of the under eight and nine competitors, it was their first ever aquatic sports carnival and they did themselves and their clubs proud, displaying good sportsmanship and promising skills as future lifesavers.
“Life Saving Victoria is delighted to return to competition, especially for our junior competitors who had their first aquatic sports outing in nine months,” Mr Butterly said.
“Our junior competitors are not only the future of our sport, but the future of our patrol force, who upon completing junior competition at the end of under 13s, will complete their surf rescue certificate and begin patrolling across our 57 lifesaving clubs.
“The skills gained in competition, such as board paddling and rescues, resuscitation and surf swimming are vital in our juniors’ journey to becoming community lifesavers in future.
“To have almost 400 junior competitors in our first carnival for season 2021-22 means the future is bright for LSV.
The carnival provided junior and senior competitors with an opportunity to develop competition skills in a fun setting, in preparation for the Victorian Championships early next year.
LSV competition continues this weekend, with Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club hosting the Victorian Surf Rowers League’s second carnival for the season on Saturday, Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club hosting senior competitors for a craft and swim competition on the same day and the juniors returning to the sand at Altona Life Saving Club on Sunday for an all-age beach carnival.
