By Molly Magennis
Lifesaving sports are officially back on, with Williamstown Swimming and Lifesaving Club athletes back on the beach competing in beach, board and ski and surf boat disciplines for the first time since COVID-19 halted the sport.
Over the weekend of November 13 and 14, over 200 board, ski and distance running athletes hit Cosy Corner on the Surf Coast for the 2021 endurance championships, which saw athletes compete in long-course board, ski, swimming and running events.
Victorian Surf Rowers League (VSRL) competitors’ also returned to the shores as the sport returned to the surf at Lorne Surf Life Saving Club.
Mahli McCarroll from Williamstown S&LC took out second place in the Cosy Corner Endurance Championships under-12 girls’ one-kilometre swim and two-kilometre board race, and came first place in the under-12 girls’ two-kilometre run.
Overall the club came ninth with 38 points in total.
Over in Lorne, the Williamstown Wobbegongs came third in the VSRL Men’s B final boat race, while the Williamstown Witches placed fourth in the Women’s A final.
Life Saving Victoria manager Simon Butterly said he was thrilled to host so many athletes in the first weekend back of aquatic sports after such a long break due to lockdowns.
“It was fantastic to see athletes from the under-12 division all the way up to masters at our beach carnival and endurance championships, as LSV is working to actively promote aquatic sports as a great form of active training across all demographics,” he said.
“Sport is also an important part of our lifesavers’ connection to their communities, which are always there to support them in their training and competition activities.
“With a fully vaccinated workforce and volunteer force for those aged 16-plus, I look forward to safely hosting our aquatic sports carnivals for the summer season, after a successful opening weekend.”
