Vikings up for workload

Aussie coach backing packed summer schedule

CURRUMBIN director of surf sports Kurt Wilson isn’t at all fazed by the challenges of a packed summer surf lifesaving calendar.

With club, elite and Australian events set to fill out the summer months, Wilson, who also acts as the Australian head coach, said Currumbin faced the challenge of logistically managing three separate events on one weekend in Sydney which could see the club take three trailers and more than 50 athletes south.

“It’s pretty cool that we have an action-packed calendar which allows a lot of opportunities for athletes compete and we can spread out different age groups and levels,” he said.

“It was a bit of a fight for competition a few years ago but now it’s so great so many clubs want to be involved in surf sports.

“The calendar last year was pretty full and dynamic but it levels the series out again in a way.

“We’re preparing guys for a mix of club competitions, the Coolangatta Gold, Australian stuff and series stuff before there’s a little cylinder for them to prepare for the state and Aussies.”

Wilson also believed that Surf Life Saving Australia’s decision to take back control of the Nutri-Grain series could strengthen the sport.

“Having a bona fide series might pave the way to an Olympic bid,” he said.

“The different formats involved in the series allow us on skill development and catering to all different athletes.”

From a coaching perspective, one of the summer’s biggest challenges is conditioning athletes to compete in new Nutri-Grain series round the Coolangatta Gold, before reverting back to traditional iron racing.

“It is a fine balance,” Wilson said. “The guys are pretty fit anyway and they have the skillet to be able to manage that but there’s definitely a tradeoff for younger, less experienced athletes.

“It’s a good strategic test for us coaches to be able to make sure they can achieve that.”

Wilson also said he wasn’t overly fussed by the introduction of additional events like Iron X and beach warrior into the summer calendar.

“It’s about trying to create that community involvement.”