The Aussies 2015 On Beach Newspaper Issue 1
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Transcript of 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
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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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