Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club emerged victorious at the Life Saving Victoria State Championships in Warrnambool on March 13.
More than 750 competitors, officials and supporters travelled to the state’s west to put their lifesaving skills to the test in near-perfect conditions over three days of competition.
Ocean Grove was crowned the champion club at the conclusion of the competition with 430 points followed by fellow Torquay with 380 points while Jan Juc and Anglesea rounded out the top 10 in ninth and tenth with 163.3 and 142 points respectively.
OGSLSC head coach Sonia Kinsey said she was “very impressed with the efforts of the whole team” on the weekend as they stepped up to race in a variety of disciplines throughout the entire weekend.
“From rescue events on the Friday night to a combination of beach and water over the next two days, they made sure as a group to be involved in everything,” Kinsey said.
“Without a large amount of open athletes racing at carnivals prior to the event, it was great to see a number come back for the championships to be part of our racing team. Let’s hope they see the value in returning next year and being part of such a wonderful team of young athletes.
“I was very happy with our results as it gets harder and harder each year as a club to win races, due to the high level of competition from clubs such as Torquay, Half Moon, Warrnambool and Mentone, just to name a few.
Kinsey said the focus now turns to the Australia Titles in Broadbeach starting April 2, where the 13 year age group will be introduced at the level for the first time.
“I have a good junior group going up – quite a few bottom age – and I am going to spend the next few weeks making sure they are prepared for the big event as much as possible,” Kinsey said.
In the water at the State Championships, Matthew Gilling and Sophie Thomas, both from Torquay, took out the open ironman and ironwoman. Thomas was also named the overall water champion for the weekend, while Anglesea’s Saxon Beale was the beach champion.
In the youth arena, Lorne’s William Newton was the under 14 water champion.
