Historic day for Marine at SA Surf Lifesaving nationals

THE 2015 South African Surf Lifesaving Championships concluded at Suncoast Pirates, Durban on Sunday with local club Marine Surf Lifesaving Club (SLC) clinching a historic first ever senior national title while Fish Hoek narrowly edged out the Eastern Cape’s Kings Beach for the junior spoils.

Starting the day just two points behind local rivals Durban Surf and a slender five points ahead of defending champions Fish Hoek, the Marine team needed a strong start and a memorable victory in the senior men’s single ski clash by Barry Lewin gave them just the foundation they were looking for.

Up against global surfski powerhouses Hank McGregor, Matthew Bouman and Jasper Mocké and surf lifesaving paddling standouts Wade Kriger and Luke Nisbet, Lewin got off to a flying start and despite a charging Bouman and young Dominic Notten breathing down his neck, managed to claim a victory that will remain a fond memory for many years to come.

“In 1987, here at the exact same venue, my dad won the men’s national single ski title so it is incredibly special to be able replicate his achievement 28 years later,” beamed Lewin proudly.

“I’ve been feeling really good in my spec ski recently and coming into today I drew a bit of extra motivation from the where our club was sitting on the grand aggregate. It certainly wasn’t comfortable but in the end I got there and I’m just really chuffed with the win,” he added.

Lewin’s individual effort on the water was then replicated by club mates Chad Ho and Sasha-Lee Norgenden, who won the men’s and women’s surf swim race respectively, before Mhlegi Gwala clinched the men’s beach run title from Siyanda Mthethwa of Durban Surf.

There was a strong Marine presence in the team events’ top three position throughout the day as well, including victories in the both the men’s and women’s coveted taplin relay, women’s board rescue and the women’s single ski relay.

The women’s taplin relay was a particularly interesting affair as all three title challenging outfits desperately sought vital points while Suncoast Pirates’ challenging surf conditions made it difficult for competitors to find any sort of a rhythm.

Women’s standout surf competitor of the championships Anna Notten put in a remarkable effort on the board leg to not only bring her Fish Hoek team back into the mix but into the lead as well however a costly swim in the tricky surf during the ski leg saw Marine eventually charge through to claim the spoils.

Hosts Suncoast Pirates were another outfit to enjoy a strong start to the day as Nisbet brothers Luke and Adam clinched the men’s board rescue, aiding in their club’s effort to make fourth place overall their own.

For more information visit www.salifesavingchamps.co.za