BEST FROM BOND TRIO OUT TO MAKE WAVES
SURF SPORTS STARS EYEING STATE GLORY
IRONMAN Joe Collins got a taste of victory in the Nutri Grain series and he wants more.
Claudia Bailey dominated the 2022 Aussies and isn’t ready to relinquish her mantle as Australia’s top young female surf sports star.
The Northcliffe duo headline a four-strong team of Bond Elite Sport athletes who have enjoyed great success in the surf this summer.
Collins, Bailey and Northcliffe clubmate Bree Mccowatt will compete in the Queensland Surf Lifesaving Championships at Maroochydore this weekend while Surfers Paradise’s Will Savage has withdrawn after suffering a ruptured appendix.
With the state titles cancelled the previous two years, the trio are looking forward to taking on the best from the Sunshine State.
For Collins it is another opportunity to cement his status as the next big star of Ironman.
He took out his first win in round 5 of the Nutri Grain Series at Kurrawa and placed third overall. He also finished third in the Coolangatta Gold to prove he is equally adept over longer distances.
Although the Ironman remains his priority, the Bond University Bachelor of Commerce student intends to compete in all the water events, using the racing as part of his training block in the lead up to the Australian Championships in Perth in April.
“A majority of the clubs use States as a benchmark and warm-up for the big dance which is the Aussies,” he said.
“We have just come off a massive load of racing that spanned over five weekends.
“So, with the quick turnaround, we are trying to race in as many races as possible and train through the weekend.’’
When Collins last competed at a State Championships, he won the U19 ski and was second in board and swim and third in the Ironman.
He will head into this year’s event full of momentum after a strong summer.
“This season has been pretty awesome for me so far,’’ he said.
“Coming into this weekend my number one ambition would be to take out the Open Ironman as it is an extremely prestigious title that few people in our sport ever achieve.’’
Bailey was the most successful competitor at the 2022 Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships, claiming seven gold medals and three silver medals.
She then took on and beat the best from across the globe at the 2022 World Surf Lifesaving Championships in Italy where she was awarded six gold medals and six silver medals.
The exercise and sports science student also intends to compete in as many events as possible.
“Last year was called off due to weather so it will be a good opportunity to see where I sit against everyone else in the state,” she said.
Expat Kiwi Mccowatt, who is also studying exercise and sports science, has had her preparation disrupted by illness and she intends to use the event as a launching pad for a return to New Zealand for their national titles.
“I have been sick and so not feeling 100 per cent so for me this weekend is a chance to just get out there, have some good races and one last hit out before New Zealand nationals in two weeks’ time,” she said.
West Aussie Savage, who finished fifth in his debut race after being called into round 5 of the Nutri Grain series to replace clubmate Ali Day, hopes to be fit for the Australian National Titles on his home beach.