IRONMAN GREAT SHANNON ECKSTEIN TO LEAD AUSTRALIANS INTO WORLD TITLE DEFENCE

 

AUSTRALIAN SURF LIFE SAVING, August 21, 2012: FIVE-time Australian Ironman champion Shannon Eckstein has been named captain of a 12-strong Australian Life Saving team announced today to defend their world title at Rescue 2012 – the World Life Saving Championships in Adelaide in November.

Surf Life Saving Australia and the Royal Life Saving Society, Australia announced the members of both the Open and Under 20 teams to contest 20 events across the pool, ocean and beach competitions from November 7-18.

The open team is a mix of youth and experience and includes former Commonwealth Games swimming gold medallist and reigning Australian Ironwoman champion Rebecca Creedy (Metropolitan Caloundra) who joins a select group of dual internationals and a range of athletes from rookies making their World Championship debut to World Record holders.
 
Eckstein led the Australian team to a narrow victory over arch rivals New Zealand in Egypt in 2010 and was a member of the team in Germany in 2008 and said today he was again honoured to lead his country at a home World Championships.
 
“It’s a great honour to captain your country and to lead the team at home is even more special,” said Eckstein, who has a new lease of life leading into a busy and long season ahead.
 
“We have an exciting team with a host of new, exciting faces, especially in the men’s team and I’m really looking forward to it.
 
“Being the captain for me is something that I’m warming to – I am a naturally quiet sort of person but I am really looking forward to the role and getting around the younger ones and making them feel part of it.”
 
Eckstein, a keen student of sport, said he has always admired Queensland and Australian NRL captains Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith.
 
“They are both outstanding leaders and two captains who I greatly admire and certainly take a lot from the way they handle themselves on and off the field.”
 
Eckstein, who has fully recovered from leg surgery and is back in full training knows this campaign could well be his last in the Australian team.
 
“I am treating it as if it is my last but I am feeling great at the moment so who knows how I will be feeling in another two years,” said Eckstein.
 
“I am really looking forward to the challenge and the Kiwis will certainly present us with a challenge –it’s going to be a great contest.”
 
Eckstein will be joined in the team by fellow Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironman Champion, Hugh Dougherty (Tugun) and former Australian Ironwoman champion Kristyl Smith (Northcliffe) and Kurrawa’s seven-time Australian beach flags champion Melissa Howard and former Australian beach sprint champion Tom Nolan (Nth Cottesloe).
 
The team also includes 20-year-old Maroochydore twins Miranda and Sam Bell who will play major roles in the pool rescue events as well as the surf races.
 
Bronte swimmer Andrew Bowden will be making his third appearance in the Australian World Championship team after debuting in Germany in 2008 and with Eckstein are the only two remaining members of that team.
 
Rescue 2012 will also see the first ever World Under 20s Youth Championship and Australia is excited to have selected its first National Youth Team to be captained by Swansea Belmont swim star Sam Earp.
 
Lifesavers from more than 40 other nations including teams from New Zealand, Japan, Italy, Germany, South Africa, the USA, Canada and Switzerland will converge on Glenelg and Christies Beaches and the Adelaide State Aquatic Centre for what will be the world’s largest ever international lifesaving event.
 
Australian Life Saving Team for Rescue 2012, Adelaide, November 7-18:
 
Shannon Eckstein (Northcliffe SLSC) Captain
Hugh Dougherty (Tugun  SLSC)
Andrew Bowden (Bronte  SLSC /The Hills RLSSA)
Sam Bell (Maroochydore  SLSC / RLSSA Port Hacking Lifeguard Club)
Tim Schofield (Terrigal  SLSC /The Hills RLSSA)
Tom Nolan (Nth Cottesloe  SLSC)
Rebecca Creedy (Metropolitan Caloundra  SLSC)
Kristyl Smith (Northcliffe  SLSC)
Miranda Bell (Northcliffe  SLSC)
Christina Ruiz (Northcliffe  SLSC)
Pamela Hendry (Maroochydore  SLSC /RLSSA Port Hacking Lifeguard Club)
Melissa Howard (Kurrawa  SLSC)
 
Australian Under 20 Life Saving Team for Rescue 2012, Adelaide, November 7-18:
 
Sam Earp (Swansea Belmont  SLSC) Captain
Trent Klouzal (Manly  SLSC)
Jack Waddell (Terrigal  SLSC)
Keelan Bridge (Terrigal  SLSC  /The Hills RLSSA)
Stefaan Demopolous (Northcliffe  SLSC)
Jordan Caldow (Grange  SLSC)
Jordan Mercer (Noosa  SLSC)
Jessica Collins (Redhead  SLSC)
Alisha Ellwood (Maroochydore  SLSC /RLSSA Qld Sharks)
Mariah Jones  (Tweed Heads & Coolangatta  SLSC)
Rachelle King (Terrigal  SLSC /The Hills RLSSA)
Bree Masters (Cronulla  SLSC)
 
 
ABOUT RESCUE 2012
 
Rescue 2012 will be held in Adelaide, South Australia, from November 7-18, 2012 and will include five separate competitions - World National Team Championships, World Interclub Championships, World Masters Championships, World Surf Boat Championships, and World Inflatable Rescue Boat Championships.

Rescue 2012 is open to all proficient lifesavers. The Masters competition is open to all proficient lifesavers who are 30 years of age or above.

Athletes can compete in nine separate disciplines - swimming, simulated emergency rescue, Ironman / Ironwoman, surf-ski, board, beach sprints, beach flags, surf boats and IRB.

Beach, National Teams and all IRB events will be held at Glenelg Beach.

Christies Beach will be the home of all Masters, Interclub and Surf Boat events.

The South Australian State Aquatic and Leisure Centre will host all Pool events.

MEDIA ACCREDITATION

 DOWNLAOD

Attention all media who intend covering Rescue 2012, that Media Accreditation is for working media only and accreditation forms MUST be signed off by your editor before accreditation will be processed. A reminder also that Rescue 2012 will have its own official photographer in Harvie Allison (Harvpix.com) who will distribute to all media outlets. Freelance photographers who are uploading for their own websites WILL NOT be accredited. ONLY photographers working for newspapers and registered agencies will receive accreditation.  IAN HANSON (Media Manager, Rescue 2012).