the aussies 2015 on beach newspaper issue 1

8
#AUSSIES100 SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015 SLS.COM.AU/AUSSIES FOREVER YOUNG A NEW GENERATION KICKSTARTS 100 YEAR CELEBRATIONS

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Issue 1 of the On Beach Newspaper. All about day one of The Youth Championships.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: The Aussies 2015 On Beach Newspaper Issue 1

#AU S S I E S10 0 • S U N DAY A P R I L 12 , 2 015 • S L S .C O M . AU/AU S S I E S

FOREVERYOUNG

A NEW GENERATION KICKSTARTS 100 YEAR

CELEBRATIONS

Page 2: The Aussies 2015 On Beach Newspaper Issue 1

APRIL CLARKE

MORE than 900 athletes representing around

130 surf life saving clubs across Australia

launched the 100th anniversary celebrations

of The Aussies at North Kirra.

It was an historic grand parade, marking

the first time a youth championships program

has been part of The Aussies.

Team spirit was soaring high from the

young athletes here to compete in the

under-14 and under-15 categories. The next

generation of stars marched with their friends

and teammates, with many competing at The

Aussies for the first time.

Maroochydore SLSC member Grace

Kaihao was given the honour of speaking on

behalf of the competitors, presenting the

Athletes Oath.

“It is a privilege to be part of the

100th Aussies event, I love the vibe on

the beach and hanging out with friends,”

said Grace.

The enthusiasm displayed from the

opening ceremony proved that there are big

things to come from these youth athletes over

the weekend.

This focus on our younger athletes is an

exciting instalment for the future of Surf Life

Saving Australia.

YOUTH kick off the 100th Annual Aussies event at the Grand Parade.

TIMETABLE OF EVENTS08:30 U/14 2km Sprint U/15 Men and Women’s Sprint U/15 Board Relay

09:00 U/14 & U15 Ironman and Ironwoman U/14 Men and Women’s Sprint

11:00 U/15 Board Rescue

12:00 U/14 & U/15 Surf Race

01:00 U/15 Board Relay Semi Final

01:45 U/14 & U/15 Men and Women’s Sprint Final

02:00 U/14 & U/15 Board Race

03:15 U/14 & U/15 Swim Final

03:30 U/15 Board Rescue Final

DONATE TODAYAND HELP US

YOUTH LAUNCH THE AUSSIES 2015

“I’m keen to have a

good time with friends, kick back and get

some good results”.

“I love the team spirit on

the beach and the feeling

of all your friends cheering you on”.

“It’s great to see

everyone down here competing for their

club and giving it their best shot”.

BRAD FALZON CATHERINE HILL BAY SLSC, NSW

KELLIE MEYERCURRUMBIN SLSC, QLD

JACKSON CLEARY MOOLOOLABA SLSC, QLD

02 | The Aussies 2015 Sunday April 12, 2015

Page 3: The Aussies 2015 On Beach Newspaper Issue 1

DAVID MOASE

AN Australian championships event will be

open to the public for the first time when

competitors hit the water in the inaugural

Aussie Ocean Swim this morning.

The 2.5km race will start at Greenmount

Beach at Coolangatta at 8.30am and finish in

the heart of The Aussies 2015 at North Kirra.

The event is open to both club members

and non-members, giving swimmers the

chance to pit themselves against some of surf

lifesaving’s best competitors.

SLSA event director Nathan Hight said

the Aussie Ocean Swim would be a new

experience for all competitors.

“Ocean swimming is one of the fastest

growing public sports in world,” he said.

“It is highly aligned to surf lifesaving and

gives everyone a great chance to be involved

with The Aussies, and to mix members and

non-members in an event for the first time.”

About 150 swimmers are expected at

the start line this morning, with race-day

registrations open from 7.30am.

Starts will be staggered, with open

swimmers the first to go at 8.30am, followed

by under-20s (8.33am), 20-29 years (8.36am),

50+ (8.39am), 30-39 years (8.50am) and 40-

49 years (8.55am).

DAVID MOASE

WARILLA Barrack Point star

Matt Sperring will have

revenge on his mind when he

heads into this morning’s semi-

finals of under-15 ironman.

Sperring was unlucky to

miss gold in yesterday’s surf

race but his powerhouse

swimming has him among

the favourites to take out the

Matthew Barclay Trophy.

“CATHO” Catherine Hill Bay Surf Life Saving Club are up from NSW

and ready to take on their third year competing at the Aussies.

Sounds of “teamwork” and “go hard or go home” are heard

amongst the Catho team tent.

Don’t be fooled by their small size, the 11 Catho competitors

have big things to bring to the competition this year.

Lachlan Standford is one to watch out for in the board races.

If you know Catho, you know they are sure to get together every

December for their annual board challenge.

Be sure to watch out for their black, yellow and white caps on

the beach!

OCEAN SWIM SET TO BE AN AUSSIES FIRST

MATT GETS CHANCE FOR REVENGEABOVE : Warilla Barrack Point SLSC athlete Matt Sperring during qualifying for the under-15 ironman.

ABOVE : SLSA President Graham Ford, with grandaughter Zoey Simpson and teammates

of ‘Catho’ Catherine Hill Bay Surf Club

The first ever Australian Ironman Championship was won by Hayden Kenny at Coolangatta beach in 1966. There has always been a bit of controversy over this one as some claim it was only a trial event however an official program confirms its championship status.

CLUB IN FOCUSCATHERINE HILL BAY

Ocean swimming is one of the fastest growing public sports in the world.

Nathan Hight

DID YOUKNOW

He was impressive in his ironman quarter-

final and is among a top-notch line-up for

the semi-finals, that also includes surf race

winner Matt Palmer (Maroochydore), Sawtell’s

Ky Kinsela, Thomas Doyle (Manly), Ryan

Carroll (Tacking Point), Cooper Williams

(Noosa Heads) and Corey Cumner

(Alexandra Headland).

In the under-15 ironwoman, the quarter

finals were won by Mimosa Henderson

(Umina), Olivia Corrin (Midway NZ) and Grace

Kaihau (Maroochydore).

Kaihau won the Queensland title and is

probably the competitor to beat today.

Her Maroochydore club is also likely to be

prominent in the team events, including the

Cameron relay and the surf teams.

On the sand the flags competitors will be

getting down to action.

Queensland champions Lachlan Alleyne

(Bribie Island) and Taya Di Bartolo (Townsville-

Picnic Bay) will be looking to their under-14

wins at the Queensland championships, while

NSW gold medallists Connor Flanagan and

Alex Rampoldi (both North Cronulla) will be

among their toughest rivals.

sls.com.au/aussies • #Aussies100 The Aussies 2015 | 03

Page 4: The Aussies 2015 On Beach Newspaper Issue 1

RIGHT : Trigg Island SLSC and Currumbin SLSC in a Board Race Heat.

LEFT : City of Perth SLSC.

RIGHT : Cronulla powers home to win the U/14 Female Sprint.

ABOVE : Ocean Grove SLSC competing in the Board Race.

LEFT : Maroubra SLSC

ABOVE : Cronulla SLSC in the Board Rescue.

04 | The Aussies 2015 Sunday April 12, 2015

Page 5: The Aussies 2015 On Beach Newspaper Issue 1

RIGHT : Terrigal leads the pack in the Ironwoman.

LEFT : Young Henley SLSC competitors with Jim Doherty also from Henley SLSC, The Aussies oldest official.

RIGHT : City of Perth competing in the Ironman.

LEFT : Southport (SA) starting the Ironman.

FAR LEFT : Manly SLSC.

sls.com.au/aussies • #Aussies100 The Aussies 2015 | 05

Page 6: The Aussies 2015 On Beach Newspaper Issue 1

PAUL COCHRANE

COMPETITORS at The Aussies 2015 are in

good hands with surf lifesaving royalty Phil

Clayton and Naomi Flood taking on the role

as the official Athlete Ambassadors.

The duo will act as the key point of contact

for all athletes competing at The Aussies 2015.

“Naomi and I look after all the athletes,

she’s in charge of all the girls and I’m in

charge of all the guys. Our role is to cover all

the basic little things,” Clayton said.

“We discuss the distance of cans, courses

on the beach, whether it’s a fair area. The

athletes need to remember to call on us for

any dispute that they have that us senior guys

can help with.”

“Be smart, use your head, don’t be silly,

keep yourself out of the sun and hydrated and

when you’re in the ocean always know where

someone is, if something happens make sure

you report it to someone straight away.”

There are few better role models than

Flood, a highly decorated Aussies champion

and Olympian.

“I think it’s great that the athletes get to

have a voice. It has to go both ways with the

officials and the athletes to make it a smooth

event,” she said.

“If we can speak for the athletes and put

ideas forward then as a unit we’re pretty solid.

We’re always looking to improve things and

make things safer for the athletes to make it a

good event. I think we need that bit of input to

keep progressing the sport.”

HERE’S YOUR ATHLETE AMBASSADORS

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE AUSSIES

“I love the atmosphere

here at Kirra, there’s people from all different

places around Australia and it really pumps

you up.”

“I love how the Aussies

let’s me catch up with

friends I have competed with before, and race

again.”

“We just love seeing

the competition from around Australia, and

having a holiday on the Gold Coast at the

same time.”

“I love being able to

compete at a higher level against people from

all around Australia.”

TYSON CROYSTON CITY OF PERTH SLSC, WA

CHRIS SORAVIA CRONULLA SLSC, NSW

ALLY HUNTER & KIRRA LOWLNORTH BONDI SLSC, NSW

CHARLOTTE HAMMANS NORTH BURLEIGH SLSC, QLD

ABOVE : Arcadian SLSC athlete Louka Demopoulos competing in the under-14 surf race

LEFT : Athlete Ambassadors Phil Clayton & Naomi Flood with some young athletes on Day 1 of The Aussies.

What is your favourite Aussies memory?

In 1999, we placed third in the open board relay. It was my first year competing

for Shoalhaven Heads. My teammates were Drew Cancross & Greg Miller,

who was only in U18’s at the time. When we were coming in I remember the

announcer saying “Where are these kids from?” So that was really special.

What do you think about the U14’s & U15’s set up at Aussies?

It’s a great opportunity. They’re the future of our sport so it’s awesome to give

them the chance to compete the same as the opens.

What is your word of advice for the younger competitors?

Enjoy the experience and have fun. Instead of being result driven, be

performance driven.

WES BERGNUTRI GRAIN ATHLETE, AMBASSADOR AND COACH

IT’S A LONG WAY TO THE TOPEMMA HANRAHAN

THE road to The Aussies 2015 has been a

lonely but rewarding journey for Arcadian

SLSC athlete Louka Demopoulos.

On a beach lined with club tents and team

spirit, Louka is something of a lone wolf. You see

the kid from Townsville is here all on his own.

Yes, that’s right, he is the only competitor

from his club at The Aussies 2015.

At least he’ll be heading home with some

reward for his efforts. Louka grabbed third

in the first ever under 14 surf race in front of

some very happy family members.

He’ll be back in action today after

qualifying for the under-14 Ironman semi-final.

Best of luck Louka.

Be smart, use your head, don’t be silly, keep yourself out of the sun and hydrated.Phil Clayton

06 | The Aussies 2015 Sunday April 12, 2015

Page 7: The Aussies 2015 On Beach Newspaper Issue 1

Beach Flags were introduced into The Aussies in the 1947 Southport-Greenmount carnival. The first ever winner of the Open Men’s Flags was R. Kille from Surfers Paradise. This much loved event is now arguably one of the competitions most iconic events.

DID YOUKNOW

ABOVE : Clarke Kelhear of Mermaid Beach SLSC wins the under-14 sprint title

MORGANA JONES

HE’S the bloke almost as old as The Aussies

itself. Jim Doherty turns 98 this year, and he’s

still officiating at the world’s biggest surf life

saving carnival.

“Give it all you got, and do as your told,”

he said.

And that’s how he’s approaching The

Aussies 2015, where he will again be

officiating the surfboats. It’s been a lifelong

passion for the Life Member of South

Australia’s oldest club Henley SLSC.

Jim has seen it all during his years as a

lifesaver. He has been patrolling since 1936

and competing in surfboats since he was 20.

Almost 80 years on he’s still attending The

Aussies in his club colours.

It has been quite a journey. He served in

the Royal Australian Air Force during World

War II and has no doubt the skills he learned

as a surf lifesaver helped him through some

tough times.

“I learnt I suppose a certain amount of

discipline and doing what you had to do,”

he said.

Like the time he was involved in a training

exercise in Victoria and saved a colleague

from drowning. It was a familiar sound that

triggered his immediate response.

“When they make that sound, when

they yell, they are in trouble, you know that

sound,” he said.

Humble and responsible, content with

fulfilling his duty of protecting lives.

“I did not want to cause any fuss, and get

all the publicity.”

Now Mr Doherty is happier watching those

younger than him competing and enjoying

themselves as part of the movement

“It’s a pleasant association and a pleasant

way to spend the day. And when you help

someone else it’s very pleasant for them too.”

MORGANA JONES

HISTORY in the beach sprints with Chloe

Mannix-Power now laying claim to being

the first ever under 14 Female Beach Sprint

champion in The Aussies youth program.

The Cronulla SLSC athlete overcame what

she called a “nerve-wracking” lead up to

edge out Alex Rompoldi from rival club North

Cronulla in an epic final.

Mermaid Beach SLSC young gun Clarke

Kelhear took out the under 14 sprinting title

ahead of Jack Musika of Coogee Beach (WA)

and Bradley Hunt of Byron Bay.

Success for Metropolitan Caloundra SLSC

with Alex Innes winning the under 15 Beach

Sprint title. Kristie Edwards of Newport SLSC

won the women’s title.

Nothing could split the boys in the under

15 men’s relay with the team from Wanda

SLSC producing a flying final leg to almost

snatch outright victory from Helensburgh-

Stanwell Park SLSC, who had established a

commanding lead. The judges eventually

declared it a dead heat.

It was a sign of progress for the

Wanda team after being beaten by

Helensburgh-Stanwell Park at the NSW State

Championships.

“We are coming for them next year,”

Wanda athlete Adam Mortlock said.

The Mooloolaba Team A took out the

under 15 Female Beach Relay final.

DAVID MOASE

THE decision to bypass the Australian age

swimming championships paid off in gold for

Matt Palmer when he rode home a wave to

win the under 15 surf race.

Palmer could have been swimming in the

pool in Sydney this week but opted to take on

the surf instead and the smile on his face said

it had been the right decision.

The Maroochydore 15-year-old was

battling behind the leaders hoping to maybe

gain a medal when he grabbed his chance as

a wave built up on the North Kirra bank.

While Matt Sperring (Warilla Barrack

Point), Nicholas Hards (North Cronulla) and

Thomas Doyle (Manly) had led the race from

the start, they could not stop Palmer joining

them in front as the wave broke.

The four rode it as far as they could but

it was Palmer who was first to his feet and

won the dash up the beach, celebrating as he

crossed the line.

“I just had to get up and go,” he said. “I’m

stoked, I love it.”

Sperring was an unlucky second, with

Hards third.

The Sunshine Coast also found success

in the under 14 surf race with Mooloolaba’s

Hayden Cotter taking the gold medal ahead

of Jonty Redwood (Sunshine Beach) and

Louka Demopoulos (Arcadian).

The lightly built Cotter said he was hurting

as he swam through the trough trying to hold

off the chasing pack but was thrilled to have

had enough in the tank to take the medal.

WHAT AN AUSSIES LEGEND

WAVE OF SUCCESS HAS PALMER CELEBRATING

POWER SURGE IN SPRINT FINAL

BELOW : Aussies legend Jim Doherty with junior members of the Henley SLSC

LEFT : Maroochydore SLSC athlete Matt Palmer wins the under-15 surf race

sls.com.au/aussies • #Aussies100 The Aussies 2015 | 07

Page 8: The Aussies 2015 On Beach Newspaper Issue 1

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Jock Campbell @JockAthletic

It’s begun @SLSAustralia #Aussies100

100th addition of the national titles.

9 days of competition… https://

instagram.com/p/1T5KcpB3NS/

ProudlyGoldCoast @

YourGoldCoast

Good luck to Australia’s best

Lifesavers as they contest the

@SLSAustralia #Aussies100 at

#NorthKirra on the #GoldCoast have

a great time.

Surf Life Saving NZ @SLSNZ

Good luck to the Kiwi contingent

heading over to the Australian Surf

Life Saving Champs! http://goo.gl/

kij5Rj #Aussies2015 #Aussies100

Shane Daw @ShaneDaw1

All go at #Aussies100 with the

@SLSAustralia Youth Championships

in full swing #northkirra

Mooloolaba Surf Club @

MooloolabaSurf

First cab off the rank! Congrats

to Taylor Stickler on our first

Aussies medal - U15 Beach Sprint

BRONZE #Aussies100 http://

fb.me/2fpDr0oTq

Surf Life Saving SA @SurfLifeSA

Hooray for Grange’s Helena Schwerdt

U15’s & Somerton’s Melarn Murphy

U14’s who both won Silver medals in

Beach Sprints. #Aussies100 #SAPride

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR VALUED PARTNERS

MAJOR EVENT PARTNER

EVENT PARTNERS

MAJOR NATIONAL PARTNERS

FACEBOOK.COM/LIFESAVING @SLSAUSTRALIA @SLSAUSTRALIAYOUTUBE.COM/USER/SLSAUSTRALIA

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT : @kiwichic76 (Rachael Roe), @mackenzieduffy (Mackenzie Duffy), @shanedaw (Shane Daw), @bridgetabfalter (Bridget Abfalter),

#AUSSIES100 PICS OF THE DAY

ON BEACH PRODUCTION TEAM: David Moase; Tom Parsons (SLSA Design), Paul Cochrane, Elyce Behrsin, April Clarke, Morgana Jones, Emma Hanrahan (SLSA Media Team); Harvie Allison, Kate Czerny, Shanta Allison (Harvpix.com).

08 | The Aussies 2015 Sunday April 12, 2015