By Justin Flynn
Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club’s Tim Hannan earned a place at the recent Australian titles.
OGSLSC coach Sonia Kinsey said Hannan’s effort was incredible.
“A junior male making a board final at the Australian title is fantastic but getting a medal hasn’t happened very often by a Victorian – and Grove had two in the final,” she said.
“Results show that with good preparation, racing in a variety of events throughout the season and consistent high level training, we can be up there with our interstate competitors. However, in order to do this, athletes brave our harsh winter conditions unlike the NSW and Queensland competitors.”
It’s the first individual board medal to be won by an Ocean Grove junior boy at the ’Aussies’.
Jolyon Simpson, Hannan and Tyler Walsh finished eighth in the Under 15 boys board final with two of the boys actually being Under 14.
Hannan finished third in the Under 14 board rave and Walsh eighth.
The Under 15 Girls made the semi-finals.
“For most of these girls it was their first Australian titles experience,” Kinsey said.
The senior team suffered the disappointment of only being allowed to compete in the relays due to the event being cancelled due to poor water quality after the rain that came following Cyclone Debbie.
“It left a lot of athletes and coaches flat and unhappy,” Kinsey said.
“It is terribly disappointing that the Under 17 age group did not get to race in their individuals as many will go up into Under 19 next year, making them bottom age with the competition even stronger. As many of them will also do Year 12 next year, it may not be possible for them to go interstate to race in WA where the titles are held in 2017. Cost, time and distance could make it prohibitive. Of course safety is a priority, however, we must factor the cost in terms of dollars and also the large amounts of time in training these kids put in in regards to preparing themselves for these events. They don’t just front up and race – they train for at least nine months of the year.”
Other results from the ‘Aussies’ on the Gold Coast:
Under 17 boys: finals in swim teams, board teams and ski teams.
Under 17 girls: finals in ski teams.
Under 19 girls: final ski teams.
Masters medals: Sue Howells Pavia – gold 2km run; Bill Strachan – bronze masters ski race.
