Vikings lift for lost trio
THERE were tears amid the triumph after Currumbin emerged from one of the toughest periods in its history to record an emotional taplin win at the Australian titles.
The famous club, which will celebrate their centenary next year, have been through a tough period recently with the death of popular members, former president John Munro, longstanding committee member Annie Owen and juniors life member Bonnie Alchin – members regarded as the heart and soul of the club.
The Vikings squad were not among the most fancied outfits heading into the taplin – the most prestigious team race at the Aussies.
But their young squad raced with the heart of lions to race away for a shock win that was as much a tribute to their late members as the current ones who mobbed the team on Perth’s Scarborough Beach.
Ironman Jackson Maynard, one of the few senior members of the team, was almost in tears after the victory.
“I can’t believe it, I honestly can’t. I never thought I’d get one,” Maynard said of the taplin win.
“It’s my first Australian gold medal too. I’ve got so many bronzes and seconds. I’m so pumped, I’m so amazed that we did it. I’m so stoked.
“We had an ex-president of about 10 years pass away about two weeks ago. Johnny Munro was a legend and he bled green and white, as well as Annie and Bonnie.
“It’s been a terrible three months but the club’s pulled together and I just can’t believe we won that. It’s ridiculous.”
Maynard, whose grandfather was president of the Vikings for 17 years in the 1940s and ’50s, used to play a lone hand at the Australian titles.
But the move of experienced Hayden White a few years ago, along with star coach Michael King, who linked with the Vikings after Mooloolaba shut down its surf sports program, has led to a resurgence and the club’s most famous win in 40 years.
“I’ve been at the club really since I was born,” Maynard said. “Grandad was president for 17 years in the ’40s and ’50s and it means so much. I’m honestly nearly crying.”
The Vikings last won the taplin in 1978, the year a team powered by Olympic swimmer Steve Holland and Billy Eckstein, the father of ironman greats Shannon and Caine, were part of a star-studded line-up.
Maynard and White were joined by Ky Kinsela, Corey Fletcher, Jayden Erskine and Joe Engel in the winning team to cap off a successful carnival for the Vikings.
Prue Davies started the Super Saturday finals in fine fashion for the club, winning the open surf race.
“It was really hard. I was leading the whole way round which was a weird feeling. I’m not normally a fast starter. I usually come home stronger, so I just had to put my head down and focus,” Davies said.
While swim star Karina Lee came at her in the closing stages, Davies was able to master Scarborough’s notoriously tricky shore dump.
“She was storming home and I had a feeling she would,” Davies said.
“I guess with my surf skills I knew I could get that wave a bit stronger, so I had to use that to my advantage.”