10 COASTERS TO WATCH AT AUSSIE SURF LIFE SAVING TITLES

As the cream of Australian surf lifesaving chase gold at the national titles in Perth this week, CAMERON WARD runs through some of the Gold Coast stars ready to make their mark

THE sun may have set on the Commonwealth Games but the gold rush continues for local clubbies lining up at the Australian surf lifesaving championships in Perth.

More than 6000 competitors from across the country, including hundreds of Gold Coasters, have flocked to Scarborough Beach for nine days of racing in youth, masters and open divisions.

Kurrawa’s golden girl Liz Crilly proved that age is no barrier, mastering the surf on her way to securing individual wins in the 70+ years female surf race, rescue tube, and 2km ocean swim.

While the 71-yearold lifesaving veteran could be forgiven for taking it easy, Ms Crilly (pictured) said she had no plans to slow down.

“I generally go to swim training five mornings a week, which is a lot of fun, and then on Sundays I’ll do an ocean swim from Burleigh to North Burleigh,” she said.

Northcliffe’s Stephen Fry won the 60-64 years rescue tube and 2km ocean swim, while clubmate Lee Vrolyks claimed six gold medals in the 35-39 years age group.

Currumbin young gun Zach King took out the under-14 surf race while Northcliffe’s Ruben Rees won the under-15 surf race.