KZN reigns supreme on lifesaving nationals opening day
KZN show their mettle at National Surf Lifesaving Champs.
THURSDAY’S op
ening day of the 2015 surf lifesaving nationals at Suncoast Pirates SLC on Durban’s beachfront was a victorious one for host province KwaZulu-Natal as both the KZN A senior and junior teams clinched the 2015 inter-provincial competitions.
It was a strong opening statement by the local competitors ahead of this year’s South African Surf Lifesaving Championships which take place at the same venue from Friday to Sunday.
“Carmel Billson and Sasha-Lee Nordengen’s first and second in the senior women’s surf swim got us started on a really positive note and things just seemed to carry on really well for us from there,” said Lewin, captain of KZN A.
“Hats off to the organisers, Suncoast Pirates, who have built such a fantastic venue and it is also great to see the sport of surf lifesaving receiving such great backing from the likes of the South African Sugar Association, Illovo Sugar and Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World!” he added.
Billson’s success then paved the way for her fellow KZN A team mates Chad Ho (Surf Swim), Lewin (Ski) Michelle Burn (Ski), Mandy Maritz (Beach Sprint and Beach Flags) and Paul van Achterburgh (Board) to then replicate her feat while the senior Mixed Taplin Relay and Mixed Beach Relay also went the way of the team.
The Western Cape team finished second compliments of victory in the senior women’s Board by Anna Notten and the senior men’s Ryle de Morny while the Eastern Cape’s Jason Collier stole the show in the senior men’s Beach Flags showdown.
Travis Misdorp (Board and Surf Swim) and Kelly Fell (Beach Sprint and Beach Flags) were multiple winners in the junior competition while fellow KZN A junior competitors Tamryn Montgomery (Board) and Ayanda Muphumulo (Surf Swim) also claimed victories.
Earlier in the day a large contingent of masters competitors got proceedings underway as they tackled the various surf and beach events throughout the warm, blustery morning.
2002 Board World Champion and 2003 Australian National Board Champion Jenna Venter proved she definitely still has what it takes as she soared to victory in the women’s 30-34 Beach Flags, Single Ski, Surf Swim and Mixed Doubles races.
“With masters being held at my home club I just had to come down and see what it was all about again this year and catch up with old mates,” said Venter.
“It has been great to see so many competitors here for this year’s masters and competitors from all over the country as well. There is always such a great social vibe to the masters nationals; once you get on that start line then muscle memory of old and your competitive nature still kicks in so there have been some really good races out here today!” she added.
Marine SLC’s Russell Sadler was another to clean up on the day as he claimed no fewer than six first places in his men’s 35-39 category (Board, Board Rescue, Double Ski, Iron Man, Single Ski and Surf Swim), this despite opting not to tackle any of the beach events.
False Bay’s strength on the sand was once again well displayed as 30-34 men’s competitor Yusuf Wasserfall (Beach Sprint and Beach Flags) and his 55-59 male club mate Michael Faulmann (Beach Sprint and 1km Beach Run) powered their respective first places.
“The beach events have always been quite a strength of our club,” explained Wasserfall.
“This is my second masters nationals but my first time in Durban and so it is great to win a couple of the beach events,”
