As the world’s best lifesavers converge on Durban for the 2019 International Surf Rescue Challenge that gets under way this weekend, the teenagers selected for the South African Youth team are itching to prove their worth and perform alongside their idols.
“This is probably one of the strongest Youth teams we have ever had,” said team manager Lauren Billson. “They have what it takes to mix it with the best of the athletes from Australia and New Zealand.”
“In the past we have been content to settle for the bronze medal, but this year we can really challenge for the top two positions,” said team manager Josh Kreft.
“Confidence will play a big role and the way that the first test plays out. We have home ground advantage and we want to make the most of that.
“If we can unsettle them in the first test and then ride that momentum through, then we have a good shot at something better than bronze,” he added.
As one of only two international events that allows for Youth teams to compete alongside senior teams, this is a guilt-edged opportunity for young aspiring lifesavers to put their hands up.
“For the juniors, this is as good as it gets,” said Billson, who experienced this as a youngster in Port Elizabeth in 2009. “You can watch your idols and maybe even get a pat on the back from one of the sport’s legends. That makes this event really special,” she added.
The South African junior women can look forward to massive support and lifesaving clubs from across the country are sending supporters to line the beaches and piers for the event.
The eight junior women represent a few specialists in a number of key lifesaving disciplines from clubs around the country. But as Kreft stresses, the key is picking a team that can cover all the bases properly.
“You need to look at the competition as a whole and see what events are there in that competition and which group of individuals will get you the most points,” says Kreft.
“The challenge comes when you have a red hot specialist in a particular discipline. You have to make sure that the rest of the team can cover all the other bases.”
South African Youth Squad:
Ally Chislett
Celina Isaacs
Ellen Kleinsmidt
Kira Bester
Paige Horn
Tatum Botha
Uli Hart
Jade Wilson
Sulinke Van Den Berg
Photo 1 Caption: Durbanite Paige Horn will look to take full advantage of the opportunities created by the International Surf Rescue Challenge at North Beach in Durban. Photo: Brian Spurr/Gameplan Media
With editing by gsport
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