The Aussies 2015 On Beach Newspaper Issue 1

#AUSS IE S10 0 • S UNDAY A PRIL 12, 2015 • S L S.COM . AU/AUSS IE S

FOREVER YOUNG A NEW GENERATION KICKSTARTS 100 YEAR CELEBRATIONS

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

YOUTH LAUNCH THE AUSSIES 2015 APRIL CLARKE

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.

BRAD FALZON CATHERINE HILL BAY SLSC, NSW

KELLIE MEYER CURRUMBIN SLSC, QLD

JACKSON CLEARY MOOLOOLABA SLSC, QLD

“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”.

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

TIMETABLE OF EVENTS 08:30

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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

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02 The Aussies 2015

02:00

U/14 & U/15 Board Race

03:15

U/14 & U/15 Swim Final

03:30

U/15 Board Rescue Final

Sunday April 12, 2015

OCEAN SWIM SET TO BE AN AUSSIES FIRST 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.

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

Nathan Hight 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 4049 years (8.55am).

ABOVE : Warilla Barrack Point SLSC athlete Matt Sperring during qualifying for the under-15 ironman.

MATT GETS CHANCE FOR REVENGE DAVID MOASE WARILLA Barrack Point star Matt Sperring will have revenge on his mind when he heads into this morning’s semifinals 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.

He was impressive in his ironman quarterfinal 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 (TownsvillePicnic 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.

CLUB IN FOCUS CATHERINE HILL BAY

ABOVE : SLSA President Graham Ford, with grandaughter Zoey Simpson and teammates of ‘Catho’ Catherine Hill Bay Surf Club

DID YOU

KNOW

“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!

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.

sls.com.au/aussies • #Aussies100

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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.

ABOVE : Cronulla SLSC in the Board Rescue.

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04 The Aussies 2015

LEFT : Maroubra SLSC

Sunday April 12, 2015

FAR LEFT : Manly SLSC.

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

RIGHT : Terrigal leads the pack in the Ironwoman.

RIGHT : City of Perth competing in the Ironman.

LEFT : Southport (SA) starting the Ironman.

sls.com.au/aussies • #Aussies100

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HERE’S YOUR ATHLETE AMBASSADORS LEFT : Athlete Ambassadors Phil Clayton & Naomi Flood with some young athletes on Day 1 of The Aussies.

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.”

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

Phil Clayton

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

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.”

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

IT’S A LONG WAY TO THE TOP

WES BERG

NUTRI GRAIN ATHLETE, AMBASSADOR AND COACH

EMMA HANRAHAN

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.

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.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE AUSSIES TYSON CROYSTON CITY OF PERTH SLSC, WA “I love the atmosphere here at Kirra, there’s people from all different places around Australia and it really pumps you up.”

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06 The Aussies 2015

CHRIS SORAVIA CRONULLA SLSC, NSW “I love how the Aussies let’s me catch up with friends I have competed with before, and race again.”

CHARLOTTE HAMMANS NORTH BURLEIGH SLSC, QLD

ALLY HUNTER & KIRRA LOWL NORTH BONDI SLSC, NSW

“I love being able to compete at a higher level against people from all around Australia.”

“We just love seeing the competition from around Australia, and having a holiday on the Gold Coast at the same time.”

Sunday April 12, 2015

POWER SURGE IN SPRINT FINAL WHAT AN MORGANA JONES

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

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 HelensburghStanwell 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.

WAVE OF SUCCESS HAS PALMER CELEBRATING 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.

DID YOU

KNOW

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

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

AUSSIES LEGEND 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.”

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.

sls.com.au/aussies • #Aussies100

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#AUSSIES100 PICS OF THE DAY

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

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).

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@SLSAUSTRALIA

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

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SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR VALUED PARTNERS MAJOR EVENT PARTNER

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08 The Aussies 2015

Sunday April 12, 2015