A group of young Williamstown Swimming and Lifesaving Club members took out the top honours at the first junior carnival of 2023 last week.
Teams from the Altona Life Saving Club also participated in the Cosy Corner Carnival on Friday, January 6 in Torquay, which saw lifesavers aged seven to 12 compete for glory.
The Williamstown Swimming and Lifesaving Club finished in ninth place with 52 points, while Altona placed 13th with nine points.
Other podium finishes included:
* First place – Noah Chapple (Williamstown) for under 13 boys ironperson and under 13 boys surf race, Madigan Carroll (Williamstown) for under 13 girls beach run, Lucas Stawski (Williamstown) for under 12 boys board race, Alexander James Cowen (Altona) for under 11 boys beach run and Madigan Carroll, Georgia Loutakis, Mahli McCarroll and Ava O’Toole (Williamstown) for under 13 girls Aqua Cameron relay;
* Second place – Madigan Carroll (Williamstown) for under 13 girls ironperson, Noah Chapple (Williamstown) for under 13 boys board race and Noah Chapple, Benjamin Glover, Finn McNamara and Aiden Wright (Williamstown) for under 13 boys Aqua Cameron relay; and
* Third place – Madigan Carroll (Williamstown).
Life Saving Victoria aquatic sport senior manager Chris Schleusener said the junior carnival came ahead of the Victorian Junior Lifesaving Championships in Warrnambool in March.
“The annual Cosy Corner carnival has become our biggest junior event on the sporting calendar outside of state championships and attracted competitors from 20 clubs across the state in 2023,” he said.
“Our juniors tested themselves in slightly choppy conditions, which is great practice at skills such as surf swimming, board paddling and wading, which will come in handy when they become patrolling lifesavers someday.”
Matthew Sims
