International surf lifesaving competition returns to Durban for the first time in a decade when the eleventh edition of the International Surf Rescue Challenge takes place over three days at North Beach on 28, 29 September and 2 October.
Featuring some of the best male and female lifesavers in the world, the competition started in 1999 as a trans-Tasman rivalry between Australia and New Zealand before expanding to include South Africa in a Tri-Nations format.
In recent years the competition has grown to included teams from Canada, Germany, France, Great Britain, Spain, Japan and the USA, with every nation encouraged to send an open and a youth/development team to the competition.
This year South Africa, Australia and New Zealand will compete with athletes from Japan, Spain and the USA.
South Africa has selected strong open and youth teams that will include established stars like beach sprinters and flags specialist, Durbanite Mandi Maritz, swimmer Amica de Jager, ironman stars Alice Edward, and board star Anna Notten.
Marine SLC stalwart Carmel Billson is a threat to all the ocean events, and with Sasha-Lee Corris-Nordengen will be a formidable rescue unit.
“This event is an excellent example of lifeguards at the peak fitness and sharpness in competition among the best in the world,” said Lifesaving South Africa president Dhaya Sewduth.
“This apex competition serves as a fantastic and exciting precursor to the World Conference on Drowning Prevention hosted by LSA in Durban from 8-10 October 2019 and showcases exactly what lifeguards do – train, compete, save lives!” he added.
Lifesaving South Africa’s Director of Sport Craig van Rooyen says having the opportunity to host the event in Durban has many positives for the sport of lifesaving in South Africa.
“This event not only gives us the opportunity to showcase our local talents but also our lifesaving organisations and the pristine beaches of Durban to an international audience,” said Van Rooyen.
“This event attracts over 180 competitors, spectators and supporters from all over the world, and generates a positive economic impact for the city and the country.
“We will see many world-renowned lifesaving athletes compete in various events over a three day period at North Beach which is home to Durban Surf Lifesaving Club, one of the largest and oldest clubs in South Africa,” he added.
The 22 traditional surf lifesaving disciplines as contested at national and world championships will be fought for over the three days.
Based at the Durban Surf Lifesaving Clubhouse at North Beach the swim, board, surfski and beach events will be staged over three days on the weekend of 28 and 29 October and concluding on Wednesday 2 October.
Test 1 – Saturday 28 September
Test 2 – Sunday 29 September
Test 3 – Wednesday 2 October
Nations represented:
South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Japan, USA.
South Africa:
Open Team:
Alice Edward
Amica De Jager
Anna Notten
Carmel Billson
Mandi Maritz
Sasha Lee Nordengen
Reserves:
Melissa Corbett
Candice Murray
Youth Team:
Ally Chislett
Celina Isaacs
Ellen Kleinsmidt
Kira Bester
Paige Horn
Tatum Botha
Uli Hart
Reserves:
Jade Wilson
Sulinke Van Den Berg
Team Management:
Tayla Faulmann
Lauren Billson
Photo 1 Caption: Durbanite Mandy Maritz is a world class flags specialist and will be a key part of the South African open team chosen for the International Surf Rescue Challenge at North Beach in Durban. Photo: Graham TopFoto/Gameplan Media
With editing by gsport
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
