Aussies2015 On Beach Newspaper issue 6
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Transcript of Aussies2015 On Beach Newspaper issue 6
SUNDAY APRIL 19, 2015 • #AUSSIES100 • SLS.COM.AU/AUSSIES
HENDYS SAVOUR THE ULTIMATE FAMILY MOMENT AT THE AUSSIES
IAN HANSON
AUSSIES gold is a rare commodity at Sorrento
Surf Club in WA so it was no wonder there
was a party going on when Brett Cassidy and
Nick Pond thrust their paddles in the air when
they crossed the line to win the under-19
double ski final yesterday.
The club won gold on the beach when
Jackson Symonds flashed across the line to
win the Australian open beach championship
in Scarborough last year.
But the water variety is tough to come by.
“This is just the best thing,” said Cassidy,
“nine-and-a-half months of training came
down to this race and it was tough going,
especially when those waves started
breaking out on that second bank.
“But we are used to this kind of chop
back home and as soon as we paddled
around that last turning buoy we just
headed for home and what a feeling it was
to cross that line.”
Meanwhile Northcliffe’s Olympic kayak
gold medallist Murray Stewart combined
with Kiwi international Danielle McKenzie
to win the mixed double ski from Alexandra
Headland pair, emerging kayak star Alyssa
Bull and James Porter.
And in one of the most exciting races of
the day, Avoca came from behind to beat
Currumbin and Northcliffe in the
Lifesaver Relay.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A LIFESAVER?
PROGRESSIVE POINTSCORE
“ I love volunteering my
time to help the community and ensure our
beaches are safe.”
“I like keeping fit, hanging with my friends
whilst also then keeping the public safe.”
“Providing a community service.”
“Spending time at the
beach with my daughters
and educating them about beach safety.”
ADRIANA BIRDMOUNT MAUNGANUI SLSC, NZ
JESS IRELAND & ROXY PENAWEST BEACH SLSC, SA
EMILY GVOZDEMOVICNORTH BONDI SLSC, NSW
ROB WELBORNNORTH BONDI SLSC, NSW
ABOVE: Connor Buhk competing at The Aussies 2015
EMMA HANRAHAN
FEW competitors appreciate the back-of-
beach work that goes into The Aussies like
Connor Buhk.
You see, he’s attended every Aussies
carnival since he was 4 alongside his father,
official Championship referee Andrew (better
known as Buhky), and became known as the
beaches youngest little helper.
“He took a liking to the IRB area,”
Buhky said.
“I used to get charged a carton for
babysitting fees from the IRB team.”
These days, Connor is here on
different terms.
He’s one of Australia’s best young kayak
prospects and is part of the national
under-18 team.
“I still pop in every morning and afternoon
to see the IRB boys,” says Connor.
Connor’s cheer squad in the IRB crew will
have front row seats as they watch their little
helper chase his Aussie gold dreams.
PLAYING BY THE BUHK
AUSTRALIAN SURF LIFE SAVING GREATS JOIN FOR INAUGURAL REUNIONSOME of the greatest athletes
in the history of surf lifesaving
have assembled for the inaugural
Australian team reunion.
Several past athletes and officials
even dusted off their national team
uniforms for the event.
The reunion was scheduled as
part of the 100 Years of The Aussies
celebrations.
Northcliffe 253; Currumbin 116; Newport 108; Mooloolaba 98; Manly 88; Kurrawa 85; Alexandra Headland 70; Maroochydore 55; City of Perth 53; Collaroy 44.
LEFT: Brett Cassidy and Nick Pond claim gold in the Double Ski final.
This is just the best thing. Nine-and-a-half months of training came down to this race. Brett Cassidy
TOP OF THE PADDLE POPS
02 | The Aussies 2015 Sunday April 19, 2015
Before retiring from the sport in 1998 Trevor Hendy won six Australian Ironman Championships, 24 Aussies Gold Medals and was captain of the Australian Surf Team. Trevor has since made two come backs, one in 2001 when he won his 25th gold medal and another in 2012 amazingly competing in ten Open events, ten years after his second retirement from the sport.
DID YOUKNOW
DEVONPORT Surf Life Saving club was formed in 1927. It is located on Tasmania’s
North West Coast on Bluff Beach, or “The Bluff” as it is locally known. The winners
of the State Title had a long journey north, with 2 trailers, and 12 competitors – 11
boys among them. The clubbies are soaking up the warmer temperature here in
Queensland and describe themselves as a close-knit, fun and energetic club.
CLUB IN FOCUSDEVONPORT SLSC, TASMANIA
ABOVE: Liz Pluimers is chasing the Coolangatta Gold, Nutri-Grain Series and Aussies title in the same season.
DAVID MOASE
DEFENDING champion Liz Pluimers may have
finished second in her semi-final yesterday
but is showing the form that could take her to
a second Open Ironwoman title.
The North Burleigh star dominated the
board and swim legs of the semi-final before
taking her foot off the gas in the ski and being
overtaken by Rebecca Creedy (Northcliffe) on
one of the best waves of the day.
However you can bet Pluimers won’t be
backing off in the final if she gets a
similar advantage.
Creedy, who won the title at North Kirra in
2012 and has placed in each of the past four
finals, also looks like she will play a big role in
the final.
“It was unlucky for Liz that I went straight
past her, but she is looking good,” Creedy said.
Jordan Mercer (Noosa Heads) took out
the other semi-final and looks primed to also
challenge for gold in Ironwoman final.
“I was so nervous about this semi-final.
Reading the draws yesterday, seeing all
of these names I knew that at least three
Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironwomen were going
to miss out on making the final in my heat,”
Jordy said.
Mercer was followed across the line by
Karlee Nurthen (Mooloolaba) and Courtney
Hancock (Northcliffe).
Two big names to miss the cut in the
competitive second semi-final were 2014
silver medallist Harriet Brown and Nutri-Grain
series competitor Tara Coleman.
The finalists for the Open Men’s Ironman
will be decided when the semi-finals are
raced first up today.
DAVID MOASE
IT took 100 years at The Aussies to produce
a moment for the ages. And for all Trevor
Hendy’s incredible achievements in surf
lifesaving, none of them could top this.
In front of thousands that lined the beach
and cheered for the sentimental favourites,
the Ironman legend and his son TJ found that
famous Hendy spirit to surge from last to first
and win the Open Men’s Board Rescue final.
Historians can find only one previous
father-son victory at The Aussies: Avoca’s
Richard and Duke Britrey in under-19
surfboats in 2012.
Trevor, 46, the winner of a record six
Aussies Open Ironman Championships, said
sharing this extraordinary achievement with
his 20-year-old son was better than any of his
personal victories.
“I can’t think of an Ironman victory feeling
better than that,” he said, admitting he was
crying tears of joy before the start of the race.
“That’s better than winning ironman
races. To do that with your son is something
that’s not possible, it shouldn’t be possible.”
Contesting their first Board Rescue final
since they started competing together two
years ago, the Hendys looked to be no hope
of winning when TJ was the last swimmer to
the buoys.
History often reminds us to never count
out a Hendy.
TJ said he didn’t even know they had
won but the wild reaction of the spectators
removed any doubt.
“This means absolutely everything, I’m
still lost for words.” TJ said.
“We didn’t give up, we didn’t stop, we
gave everything to the end and that’s what
means the most I reckon.”
“When we walked in we said to each other
‘forget about the result this is a dream come
true’,” Trevor said.
“It was just to do it together and I think
that’s what gave us the wave. It was a Hail
Mary wave – people haven’t been able to get
them on the ski, let alone a rescue board.”
“It was one of those moments when life
came in to reward us for everything we’ve
done together.”
“It was nothing about being perfect, it was
all about being together.”
FATHER’S DAY AS THE HENDYS CREATE AUSSIES HISTORY
PLUIMERS BIDS FOR ELUSIVE TRIPLE CROWN
BELOW: Trevor Hendy elated after winning gold with his son TJ.
LEFT: Trevor and TJ Hendy create Aussies history in the Open Men’s Board Rescue final.
sls.com.au/aussies • #Aussies100 The Aussies 2015 | 03
RIGHT : Ngaire Hadfield from Cronulla SLSC winning the U/17 Beach Flags.
RIGHT : Kurrawa SLSC’s Elizabeth Forsyth winning the U/19 Beach Flags.
ABOVE : The Double Skis take the stage.
FAR RIGHT : Bianca Mould from Avoca celebrating her teams win in the Lifesaver Relay.
RIGHT : Peter Scott from Redhead SLSC in the Single Ski.
04 | The Aussies 2015 Sunday April 19, 2015
LEFT : Jordan Caldow photo-bombing his cover shot.
LEFT : Mooloolaba skier crashing through the wave.
FAR LEFT : Mooloolaba Surf Lifesaver Matt Poole hurdling the wave.
ABOVE : Newport ski paddler in the clouds among the Gold Coast skyscrapers.
LEFT : The Women’s Surf Race takes off.
Championship photos available at harvpix.com
sls.com.au/aussies • #Aussies100 The Aussies 2015 | 05
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE AUSSIES?
“Being able to travel with
a team who becomes a
second family.”
“Hanging out with
friends and watching everyone achieving the
goals they’ve been working towards.”
“The free merch!” “I’m from the UK so I love
being able to see all my
friends together from the motherland.”
DEANDRA GODOYFRESHWATER SLSC, NSW
REBECCA SCHOFIELDTERRIGAL SLSC, NSW
ALEX PETTIGREWMAROOCHYDORE SLSC, QLD
GEORGE HAYNESMOUNT MAUNGANUI SLSC, NZ
What does it mean to be competing at the 100th year of
The Aussies?
“It’s the pinnacle of the surf season, we’ve been doing it since we were kids
and every year it comes around again. I just love the atmosphere. When
you’re doing kayaking and Olympic training, it means a great deal to be able
to come and compete at The Aussies and join in on the fun.”
Do you have a significant memory from your long history of competing?
“Probably my first Aussies medal in the double ski, under-19’s is something I will
never forget, as well as winning the Open Ski, but every year, I have always walked
away with having an incredible time at The Aussies.”
There’s one more day left, what are you doing to recover in between days and races?
“I try to make sure I rest up between races and keep eating. It has been very hot the past few days so I stay out of the sun when I can too.”
MURRAY STEWARTOLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST, WORLD & AUSTRALIAN SKI CHAMPION & TAPLIN CHAMPION
PAUL COCHRANE
THE bridesmaid has beaten the bride-to-be
in an epic Open Women’s Beach Flags final in
front of a capacity crowd at North Kirra.
A year after she was relegated to the silver
medal, Collaroy’s former two-time national
under-19 champion Katie Williams dethroned
Australia’s greatest ever flag sprinter Melissa
Howard by a fingernail.
“It feels awesome to walk away with a
gold. I’ve never had a gold in the Australian
Opens before. I’ve taken home many golds
in the juniors, but not in the Opens,” a
jubilant Williams said.
“Last year I got second and the year before
that I got third so this is amazing.”
By this time next week, the nine-time
Aussies champion Howard will be married
to her fiancé Paul Cracroft-Wilson, who was
part of an Open Men’s final postponed until
today following an opening round protest in
fading light.
Just getting to the final was a significant
achievement for Howard after breaking her
collarbone at the world championships in
France late last year.
But nothing could dilute Williams’
breakthrough moment, dancing in the sand
as she finally took down her fiercest rival.
The under-17 and 19’s beach flag
titles were shared by clubs along the east
coast with Kurrawa’s Elizabeth Forsyth,
Mooloolaba’s Jason Gough, Cronulla’s Ngaire
Hadfield and Angelsea’s Saxon Beale all
heading home with gold.
BEACH FLAGS HAS A NEW DANCING QUEEN
It feels awesome to walk away with a gold. Katie Williams
GRAHAM CALLAGHAN
AFTER four silver medals in past campaigns,
Lyle Clark and his Currumbin Barbarians are
out to finally break through for Aussies gold
when the surfboat championships conclude
at Tugun today.
The Barbarians will be joined in today’s
final 12 by fellow Currumbin crew, the
Huskals, swept by Matt Wildman.
The Currumbin crews will join Bulli, Piha
(NZ), South Curl Curl, Austinmer, Mona Vale,
Lorne, Queenscliff, Palm Beach, Titahi (NZ)
Bay, Queenscliff, Anglesea, Palm Beach NSW,
Corrimal, Bilgola, Currumbin A.
“A National win is definitely well overdue
after collecting silver in 2003 (Michael Brown
sweep), 2006, 2007 and 2011,” Clark said.
“After making the semis at The Aussies
last season we called it a day but got together
again this season and trained on a lesser
pressure programme and we have been
performing pretty good.”
The Barbarians have good form on the
board winning the Ocean Thunder title and
also gold medals at the Queensland titles at
Alexandra Headland.
“Matt Hickey has been sweeping the
Barbarians on the Brisbane River for me and
crew members-Glen Williams (stroke), Mac
Hamilton, Nick Winkler and Randall Martin-
have been doing a lot of private personal
training,” Clark said.
Clark, Williams and Martin have been with
the Baabaas for a decade while Hamilton has
six years and Winkler two seasons.
CURRUMBIN KEEN TO TURN SILVERS INTO GOLD
ABOVE: Alexandra Headland in action at Tugun.
LEFT: Katie Williams dances on the sand after winning her first Beach Flags Open title.
06 | The Aussies 2015 Sunday April 19, 2015
At the 1989 Championships at Burleigh Heads Dean Mercer won the open Ironman Championship after swimming what appeared to be way off course. However as he approached the level of the buoys the swell had moved him up to the swimming cans setting up a huge lead for him to take out first place while the other competitors were being washed to the north and struggling to get around the cans.
DID YOUKNOW
I’m a massive fan of Ky’s and to beat him in the surf race is just unbelievable. George O’Brien
DAVID MOASE
AN emerging star of Australian swimming has
announced himself at The Aussies, taking out
the inaugural Aussie Ocean Swim – Open Surf
Race double within the space of a week.
In a race billed as the clash of the swim
kings, George O’Brien emerged from the
North Kirra surf to take gold and upstage
some of the sport’s biggest names.
The 23-year-old from Kurrawa couldn’t
believe his eyes when he got to his feet
and saw the finishing tape still in place,
crossing the line ahead of Shannon Eckstein
(Northcliffe), Tom Fraser-Holmes (Manly) and
10-times champion Ky Hurst (Kurrawa).
“I’m a massive fan of Ky’s. He’s one of
my idols considering what he’s done in pool
swimming, open water and surf and to beat
him in the surf race is just unbelievable,”
O’Brien said.
“The field was unreal, that’s why I just
could not believe the tape was still up.”
O’Brien’s next assignment will be in
Cozumel, Mexico, for the FINA/HOSA 10K
Marathon Swimming World Cup as he chases
an open water swimming berth at the Rio
Olympic Games.
Newport’s Georgia Miller was ecstatic as
she crossed the line a comfortable winner of
her second Women’s Surf Race title.
The Newport star had won two years ago
at North Kirra and tamed the choppy surf
for finish ahead of Northcliffe pair Courtney
Hancock and Rebecca Creedy.
“I think I was pretty young and naïve when
I was 17 and didn’t know what it meant to win
an Open Surf Race,” Miller said.
“Coming through and racing all the
open girls more has definitely put it into
perspective. Oh my God, It’s huge, I can’t
believe it.”
Miller added another gold medal to her
haul about 20 minutes later when she teamed
with Lara Moses to win the board rescue
ahead of Sawtell surprise packets Tahlia
Kollen and Lauren Dam.
BY GEORGE! O’BRIEN AND MILLER SUPREME IN THE SURFFAR LEFT: George O’Brien emerges from the water with gold in the Open Surf Race.
LEFT: Krystal Smith and Maddy Dunn carry their board out of the surf in the Open Board Rescue final.
LEFT: Georgia Miller smiles with the finish line in sight.
JOEL BEVILACQUA EMMA HANRAHAN
NORTHCLIFFE increased its overall point
score lead with gold and silver in the
Women’s Open Board Rescue.
The two teams had a sprint finish with
Maddy Dunn and Krystal Smith claiming
bragging rights over their clubmates
Harriet Brown and Rebecca Creedy.
Krystal said she was ecstatic with the
win after placing fourth in her past three
individual events.
“It’s hard enough to get on the podium,
let alone get a gold at Aussies,’’ Krystal said.
The duo praised their Northcliffe
teammates.
“They were hard to beat, we came
home and picked up a brilliant runner,
unfortunately going straight past our
teammates,” she said.
NORTHCLIFFE FINDS RARE KRYSTAL GOLD
JOEL BEVILACQUA
A DECADE after winning his maiden
Australian Ironman title, Nathan Smith is
hoping for a fairytale finish by winning his
second today.
34-year-old Smith, who is coming off
his seventh NSW ironman title, is unsure
whether he will get the opportunity to race
competitively in an Australian Titles Ironman
final again.
If he is to win his second title before semi-
retirement, Smith says he will have to put
together the perfect race.
‘’You train all year, but that moment in
time, come two o’clock Sunday afternoon
everything has to go right.’’ Smith said.
Smith has welcomed the rough weekend
conditions and says they could produce a
surprise winner.
‘’You always want to race and showcase
your skills in tough and challenging
conditions and that’s we’ve got coming up’’
he said.
‘’It’s a lottery out there really, there is going
to be upsets, there is going to be surprises.”
SMITH PONDERS AUSSIES SWANSONG
sls.com.au/aussies • #Aussies100 The Aussies 2015 | 07
JOIN THE CONVERSATIONIan Hanson @hansonmedia
Amazing scenes, amazing result!
Ironman legend Trevor Hendy and
son TJ win board rescue gold medal at
@Aussies100
Surf Life Saving NSW @slsnsw
Collaroy Surf Lifesaving Club’s, Katie
Williams takes out the open women’s
flags! ||#nswatAussies @Aussies100
Cameron Caldwell
@Cam_M_Caldwell
Open men’s flags featuring Simon
Harris & a thousand other Kurrawa
competitors!! @Aussies100
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR VALUED PARTNERS
MAJOR EVENT PARTNER
EVENT PARTNERS
MAJOR NATIONAL PARTNERS
FACEBOOK.COM/LIFESAVING @SLSAUSTRALIA @SLSAUSTRALIAYOUTUBE.COM/USER/SLSAUSTRALIA
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT : @drew_beveridge, Drew Beveridge@jenayamassie, Jenaya Massie@courtneytier, Courtney Tier@jem_xoxo, Jemimah Lam
#AUSSIES100 PICS OF THE DAY
ON BEACH PRODUCTION TEAM: Paul Cochrane, Elyce Behrsin, Andrea Bryce, Claudia Ferguson, Joel Bevilacqua, Emma Hanrahan, Jacqueline Green (SLSA Media Team); Tom Parsons (SLSA Design); Ian Hanson, David Moase (Hanson Media); Harvie Allison, Kate Czerny, Shanta Allison, John Veage, Shannon Glasson (Harvpix.com)
08 | The Aussies 2015 Sunday April 19, 2015