‘Aussies’ continue to grow April 6, 2008
 The success of the 2008 UBD Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, which concluded at Scarborough Beach in Perth this afternoon (Sunday), demonstrates the continued growth of this iconic event.
Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), Ron Rankin AM, said that Sunday’s finals showcased an outstanding week of competition, which saw more than 6000 surf lifesavers and officials from across Australia and around the world gather for the traditional peak of the surf sports season.
“The huge crowd gathered to watch the beach flags finals on Saturday afternoon and the traditional highlights of the carnival, the Ironman, Ironwoman and Taplin finals, on Sunday afternoon are testament to the ongoing appeal of surf sports,” he said.
“Competitors were reporting that the ferocious shore break made for some of the most testing conditions they had ever experienced, which certainly made for spectacular entertainment for spectators.
“It is very pleasing to note the total co-operation received from the Western Australian Government, through EventsCorp, and the City of Stirling, and we look forward to working with them to ensure that Aussies 09 are even better when we return here on March 17 2009.”
In another sign of a healthy and growing sport, the event is attracting increasing numbers of younger competitors, with more than 1700 entries in U15, U17 and U19 events.
SLSA Director of Surf Sports, Dave Thompson, said it is extremely pleasing to see so many juniors getting out and being active.
“The forecasts for entries this year, as a whole, have exceeded our expectations. To see such great numbers in our Under15’s and Under17’s is really great,” he said.
“We have some great programs and initiatives happening right around the country including the development camps and SLSA-endorsed coaching clinics.
“These programs in particular are really targeted at our U13, U14 and U15 competitors and we are really starting to see some great results and a strong growth in competitors in these age divisions.
“The decision of the SLSA Board of Surf Sports to reintroduce the U17 ski events has given a big boost to our younger membership and has certainly been a good incentive for competitors to stay involved in the sport, by providing more events in which to participate,” he said.
SLSA‘s talent identification program now provides the opportunity for U15 and U17 competitors to participate in High Performance programs and presents a clear pathway for athletes.
To provide additional focus on junior development, for the first time trophies have been awarded for U15, U17 and U19 champion pointscores. Mooloolaba took out the U15 trophy with Burleigh Heads/Mowbray Park winning both the U17 and U19 trophies.
In other event news, rookie Kyle O’Brien from Cronulla, who won four gold, one silver and bronze was named male competitor of the carnival, and champion beachie Ellie Graff, also from Cronulla was the female competitor.
The highlights of the 2008 UBD Australian Surf Life Saving Championships will be shown on Channel 9 on Sunday 13 and 20 April (check local guides).
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