Williamstown’s Swimming and Life Saving Club (WSLSC) most experienced lifesavers showed off their skills during the Victorian Masters Championships at the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday, February 11.
WSLSC’s results during the event included:
* 55-59 years women’s board race – first place – Valerie Scholes;
* 55-59 years women’s beach flags – first place – Valerie Scholes;
* 50-54 years women’s board rescue – second place – Sally Leung and Valerie Scholes; and
* 150+ years women’s board relay – third place – Rebecca Cameron, Sally Leung, Valerie Scholes.
Life Saving Victoria sport senior manager Chris Schleusener said competitors ranged in ages 31 to 76, showing spectators that long-term lifesaving efforts offers community, social and fitness benefits.
“The masters championships allows some of our most experienced lifesavers, some of them with 40-plus years of patrolling under their belts, to display their rescue ready skills in an inclusive competitive environment,” he said.
“Our masters competitors are the backbone of our clubs, from their role on the front line saving lives, their tireless work behind the scenes on club committees and supporting the next generation of lifesavers through nippers, training and development.”
The masters was the first of three state championship events to tie up the 2022-23 summer season, with the Victorian Senior Championships coming up at the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club from Friday, February 24 to Sunday, February 26.
Many of the masters competitors would back up their efforts in the masters championships at the senior championships, either racing in the open division against Victoria’s top competitors, or as coaches, officials and team managers.
