AUSSIES ARE CALLING

THE Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club will take to the big stage this week when it enters “The Aussies” in Queensland.

A national event encompassing youth, open and masters competitions, The Aussies is the nickname given to the more formal title of Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships, and runs from April 16-24.

Ocean Grove head coach Sonia Kinsey said her squad (pictured) was heading into its events with plenty of optimism.

“Our race pace at home is significantly slower than it is up here, so I would like to think my kids in the first couple of races can get up with them speed wise,” Kinsey said.

“If we made a final it would be fantastic and I have some kids who could make finals if everything goes according to plan. But as you know, not everything goes to plan in the surf.

“They are going to be a lot quicker on the beach than us because we just don’t get that race pace in Victoria. But if the kids come away with a final or with a semi and they are happy and it brings them back again then I will be happy.”

Kinsey said it had been a challenging 12 months for the sport as it dealt with the lack of competition due to

COVID restrictions. “We lost quite a few after COVID who didn’t come up,” she said.

“Some aren’t coming up because of paranoia of COVID and we have some kids who should be coming but aren’t, and others who have gone up in age group.”

“It is unfortunate because they were top age and I had some ripping boys last year who missed out.”