CHASING HONOURS
Bragging rights are on the line for all competitors ... though for some it takes on a whole new meaning, as Eliza Reilly writes.
LILLY and Cooper Findlay may be family but that means nothing when they hit the water at the Queensland Youth Lifesaving Championships at Burleigh Heads.
“Of course we have a sibling rivalry,” said Lilly, 14. “It’s a competition just to see who can get the best result.”
Cooper, 10, isn’t one to take the trash talk lightly.
“But I get the best results by far because she got one medal at branch carnival this year and I got two,” he joked.
Despite laying claim to one less medal at the branch championships, Lilly has her brother covered in experience after previously competing for Eimeo SLSC at the Youth Championships.
She was quickly recognised as one of Mackay’s emerging athletes when she was named sportswoman of the year and earnt herself a JM paddleboard sponsorship.
This weekend marks Cooper’s first state championships and he couldn’t be more excited to try to claim his first state medal after a strong performance in the branch championships earlier this year.
“I can’t wait,” he said. After travelling to the Gold Coast from Mackay for carnivals throughout the years, the Findlays made the permanent move south last year and are now proud members at Burleigh, this weekend’s hosts.
“We used to come down every year to do carnivals but living down here is amazing and we’re a lot more familiar with the surf now,” Lilly said.
Cooper, too, has spotted the biggest benefit.
“It’s really fun living down here because compared to Mackay the surf is really good,” he said.
Surf lifesaving has always been a family affair for the Findlays, with Lilly and Cooper’s father Aaron previously competing for the Queensland Country team and winning five consecutive North Australian ski titles.
“I was inspired by Dad to start lifesaving but I had a lot of friends who did Nippers as well and it was a fun sport,” Cooper said.
“I like making friends and riding down the waves.”
Lilly started in under-6s “because of my dad”.
“I love being able to compete with friends and also the environment we’re in out in the water,” she said.
With the championships at Burleigh, Lilly believes other clubs will have to be at their best to upstage the hosts.