Competitors Maddy Thomson (Trigg Island) and Ben Whitehurst (Scarboro), Surf Life Saving Australia president Graham Ford, Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin, Tourism WA chairman Nathan Harding and surf lifesaver Tom Gallagher (City of Perth), Hannah Jones and Warren Jones (Scarboro).
Camera IconCompetitors Maddy Thomson (Trigg Island) and Ben Whitehurst (Scarboro), Surf Life Saving Australia president Graham Ford, Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin, Tourism WA chairman Nathan Harding and surf lifesaver Tom Gallagher (City of Perth), Hannah Jones and Warren Jones (Scarboro). Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Best of the best head to Scarborough for Australian Surf Life Saving Championships

Laura PondStirling Times

AUSTRALIA’S best surf lifesavers are heading to Scarborough Beach this week.

Scarborough is hosting the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, known as The Aussies, for the tenth time from April 14 to 22.

More than 6000 surf lifesavers from 311 clubs across Australia will compete in the nine-day championships, starting with the youth competition on April 14 and 15, followed by the masters on April 16 and 17, the open championships from April 18 and ending with the finals on April 22.

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Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club two-time Aussies gold medallist Hannah Jones and Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club State under 17 surf and open belt champion Maddy Thomson are among the locals that will be in action, with City of Perth, Trigg Island, Mullaloo and North Cottesloe surf clubs expected to fare well.

Surf Life Saving Australia president Graham Ford said it had worked closely with Tourism WA and City of Stirling to deliver the event.

“We are looking forward to witnessing the best surf sports athletes in the world battling it out for those much sought-after Aussies medals and those precious points for the overall, open and age point scores,” he said.

“It’s a credit to the competitors who train so hard and dedicate their season to putting it all on the line and to the clubs who fundraise all year to make The Aussies a wonderful experience for all.”

It is the 10th time The Aussies have been held at Scarborough out of 12 WA visits since 1951 and Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin said it was great to welcome the championships back to its WA home.

“The nine-day championships attract the cream of the crop in surf lifesaving competitors, including home-grown competitors who call Scarborough Beach ‘home’ and have spent much of their life patrolling and competing on these shores,” he said.

“The championships also attracts hundreds of members of the loyal and dedicated surf lifesaving community who show competitors unwavering support.

“As a life member of the Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club, these are just some of the reasons why I feel such a connection to The Aussies and it holds a special place in my heart.”

Cr Irwin believed it was the perfect time for the competition.

“Not only is this event a chance to support Australia’s surf lifesaving community, but an opportunity to showcase the world’s biggest sports carnival on our pristine beachfront, with our brand new $100 million redevelopment as a backdrop,” he said.

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