North Kirra and Tugun primed for Aussies 2013

Surf Life Saving Australia, January 17, 2013: The countdown is on for the 2013 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships to be shared this year between Gold Coast host clubs North Kirra and Tugun from April 15 to 21.

Entries are now open for “The Aussies 2013” with organisers and competitors alike excited about the switch to the neighbouring Point Danger Branch Clubs – both steeped in traditions of Queensland Surf Lifesaving – North Kirra who started patrols in 1949 and Tugun, who have been going strong since 1925.

The 2012-13 Surf Life Saving season has already had a busy start in the competition arena with the Coolangatta Gold seeing two new champions crowned in Ali Day and Brodie Moir before a record 42 nations converged on Adelaide for Rescue 2012, the World Life Saving Championships in November.

The National Inter-State Championships at Newport (January 22), the various Branch Championships and the all-important State Championships will all be used as key lead-up events for the Aussies.

North Kirra will be the main venue for this year’s Championships with Tugun playing host to all of the boat events from Masters to Under 19s, Under 23s, Women’s, Reserve Grade and Open A Grade.

The 2013 Championships will see the Australian Masters staged over two days on April 15 and 16 with the carnival proper starting on Wednesday, April 17 and culminating in finals day on Sunday, April 21.

The Aussies will cater for competitors from all over Australia and overseas from Under 15s to Masters and in all events from beach sprints and flags to craft, swimming and lifesaving events, including the prestigious Ironman and Ironwoman and boat events as well as the traditional R and R, surf belt and March Past.

The big questions are can Northcliffe’s Shannon Eckstein defend his Australian crown and add Ironman title number six as he strives to equal the all-time great Trevor Hendy while former Commonwealth Games swimmer Rebecca Creedy will be out to defend her crown?

Organisers are expecting over 7000 competitors from over 220 clubs who will compete for 300 medals – with the champions awarded the precious Aussie gold.

“The Aussies remains one of Australia’s iconic sporting events open to competitors aged 15 to our oldest masters who still line up at 75 years of age,” said Dave Thompson, SLSA’s General Manager for Surf Sports.

“It is every lifesavers dream to compete at the Aussies and it is such an attraction that our greatest ever competitors keep on coming back.
“Competitors like Trevor Hendy, who made a comeback to open competition last season is a classic example of just what great lifesavers, great competitors and great Australians this organisation continues to produce.

“To race at the Aussies is one thing, to win a medal is a great achievement but to win a gold medal is something that is cherished by thousands of competitors who have achieved that honour since our first major championships back at Bondi in 1915.

“It is important to note that in 2015 we will be celebrating a century of surf sports in Australia so the build up to that milestone over the next two seasons will be very exciting in deed.

“I would also like to extend a special vote of thanks to our major event partners Events Queensland who have once again given their unrivaled support for our event and we appreciate their loyalty and look to hosting them throughout what I am sure will be a wonderful week of competition.

“As far as our Organising Committee is concerned there is no doubt that the move to North Kirra and Tugun presents new challenges which will see the majority of the carnival infrastructure on the beach at North Kirra while Tugun will present a natural amphitheatre for the boat crews and spectators alike.

“In closing I wish to thank North Kirra, Tugun, Point Danger Branch and Queensland Surf Lifesaving for hosting what I am sure will be a memorable Aussies carnival.”

The Aussies is supported by Tourism and Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting, cultural and regional events throughout the state.

To find out more about this and other great events on the Queensland Events Calendar visit www.eventsqld.com.au
For more information, visit http://www.sls.com.au/aussies