AUSSIES HIT THE SANDS OF ONJUKU

The Australian Life Saving Team arrived in Onjuku Beach yesterday afternoon and wasted no time hitting the sands for final beach relay hit outs under beach coach Martin Lynch before diving into the water for a taste of the small surf and seaweed that is likely to remain all week for the three-Test Series against New Zealand, Canada, USA, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong. Australia’s open men’s beach relay will be beach sprint star Dean Scarf, Australian single ski champion and Australian kayak representative Lachlan Tame and swimmers Tim Schofield and Dev Lahey while the women’s will consist of champion beach flagger Melissa Howard, Olympic kayaker and Australian single ski champion Naomi Flood, swimmer Eliza Smith and ironwoman Kristyl Smith. The opening ceremony will be held this afternoon with the First Test match for Opens and Under 20s on Thursday and the final two Tests on Saturday and Sunday. The Sanyo Bussan International Life Saving Challenge trophy will be presented to the team with the highest overall points. Ian Hanson (Onjuku, Beach, China).