Surf’s up on Strand for local students

SOME of Townsville’s top athletes had their first taste of surf life saving during an inaugural competition at The Strand yesterday.

Called the University of Queensland Secondary School Surf League, the new event allows secondary school students the chance to participate in surf life saving for the first time alongside more experienced competitors. Students were taken through a range of surf live saving disciplines including board paddling, ocean swimming, beach sprints and surf rescue.

“It’s not open to just life savers, it’s open to pool swimmers and red track athletes as well,” North Barrier Branch regional development officer Kristine Fowler said.

“They can give life saving a go and it’s good to see such a good number of schools come along.

“We had a couple of schools come down from Ingham as well, so the numbers were good, and we had three age groups in Under- 13s, Under- 15s and open age.

“They all love coming down, especially the Year 12 students because it’s their last year of school.”

Schools taking part in yesterday’s session were Ignatius Park College, St Margaret Mary’s College, Gilroy Santa Maria College, Ingham State High School and Pimlico State High School.

This year’s winning school was Ignatius Park.

“It gives them a go at surf live saving and gives them confidence that they have the ability to do it,” Fowler said.

“It also allows us to attract new members.”

The UQ surf league has held competitions in other parts of Queensland including the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Cairns, with the inaugural UQ Cup to be contested by schools around Queensland in March next year.