LIFESAVERS OUT TO MAKE A SPLASH IN JUNIOR TITLES
TASMANIA’S most talented junior surf lifesavers will showcase their skills on the beach and in the surf at this weekend’s state championships.
More than 360 junior competitors from around the state will gather for the event hosted by the Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club.
The host club, along with southern rivals Clifton Beach and Kingston Beach, are set to challenge the traditional powerhouse clubs from the state’s North-West.
“The Tasmanian championships are a fantastic way to finish off the season for the state’s junior lifesavers,’’ carnival referee Craig Mackinnon said.
“It tests their skills over a number of individual and team disciplines, both in the water and on the beach.”
Liesl McIlwraith said her sons Ewan, 11, and Oliver, 9, from the Kingston Beach club, were ready and raring to go.
“My eldest is a fierce competitor . . . he’s going to try and place in the 1km beach sprint and would like to try and come in the top five for ironman,’’ Mrs McIlwraith said.
She, husband Stuart and the boys moved from Johannesburg in South Africa in 2018 for a work opportunity and the family linked up with the surf lifesaving club soon after.
“We were landlocked in Johannesburg, so the surf was very new to us, but they have taken to it like a duck to water,’’ she said.
“They have made amazing friends through it
. . . and they have done an amazing job educating them about surf awareness and first aid.”
Action kicks off from 9am on Saturday, which also includes a club colour parade. Sunday’s program starts at 9.30am.