THE NEXT BIG WAVE
MOVE over Shannon Eckstein – here is the next wave of surf life saving talent.
With the Gold Coast ironman legend hanging up his competitive budgie smugglers at this week’s Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, young guns like Hugh Munro (right) are stepping up.
Munro, of Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club, won the under 15 ironman, saying: “I was pretty hammered going into the board but I kept my head.”
WHILE Shannon Eckstein may be set to retire at the conclusion of the Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships on Sunday, fans can be assured the sport is in good hands with three locals filling the podium in the U15 ironman final.
A huge swim leg saw Currumbin Beach Vikings’ Hugh Munro set up a thrilling win over Kade Aitchison from Northcliffe and training partner Zach King in third.
“I was mid-pack in the swim. I managed to snag a wave on the swim and got up first into the transition,” Munro said.
“I was pretty hammered going into the board but I kept my head and looked for a wave.
“We’ve got a strong squad at Currumbin and a few boys in our age group that all push each other and try to beat each other.”
Currumbin also dominated the Under 15 ironwoman final with Charlotte Cross and Ruby Meehan taking out gold and silver and embracing on the shores of North Burleigh.
“It feels so good, so good and I’m so happy for Ruby too,” Cross said.