ECKSTEIN JOINS SPORTING ELITE AS CAPTAIN OF AUSTRALIAN TEAM

Gold Coast, February 9: Shannon Eckstein today joined an elite group of sporting greats when he was named captain of the Australian Surf Lifesaving Team for the 2009 International Surf Rescue Challenge in South Africa in March.

Eckstein will put his name alongside some of the greatest Australian surf sports stars, including Phil Coles, Grant Kenny, Trevor Hendy and Clint Robinson, who have all captained Australian Surf Lifesaving teams before him.

The World and Australian Ironman champion will lead an all-star team against the best surf sports athletes from the United States, Great Britain and the host country in a the three-test series in Durban on 27-29 March           

Ranked number one in the world, Eckstein's consistent performance throughout the season, as well as his amazing Australian Team debut last June at the World Championships in Germany, made him an obvious choice for selectors.

Knowing the prestige that goes with the captaincy, Eckstein said he was surprised to be given the leadership of the national team.

"I haven't been in too many Australian teams, so to be named as the captain is a huge honour," he said.

"Personally I've always enjoyed being in teams, like state teams - I like the fact that it's not about the individual but about everyone pulling together for the team.

"Germany was a great experience for me and I certainly learned a lot. I hope that I can lead this team to a great victory - I think we have the team to do it," said Eckstein.

For Eckstein, this season has been one of his most consistent, producing outstanding races that have him sitting on top of the ladder in the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series despite being troubled by a back problem.

"I'm training really well - I don't think I've had a bad race this season," he said

"The injury (a worn facet joint in his back) has been niggling, but for me it's just about managing through to the end of the season.

Eckstein will be in good company, with Australian team veterans and fellow Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series stars Zane Holmes, Nathan Smith, Chris Allum, Kristyl Smith, Alicia Marriott and Naomi Flood headlining the team.

New faces on the Open Australian team include Hugh Dougherty, Courtney Hancock and Elizabeth Pluimers, who are no strangers to racing at the top level.

While Hancock and Pluimers have both represented their country in U23 squads previously, this will be their first time in the open ranks.

Ironman Dougherty will be on Australian Team debut, with the 25-year-old showing his versatility in recent years keeping the powerful Eckstein-Holmes combination on their toes throughout the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series.

The side will also feature beach sensations Tom Nolan and Cara Langendam, who formed part of the victorious Australian Team at World Championships in Germany in 2008, and three-times Australian Surf Boat Champions North Cottesloe J made up of Derek Knox, Kim Greville, David Porzig, Peter Charles and Jack Alliss. 

Of course it won't be all smooth sailing for the Aussies, coming up against tough competition from host country South Africa, as well as Great Britain and USA.

Australian Team Head Coach Brett Dowker said the team is one of the best that he's seen in recent years.

"The selectors have done a very thorough job of choosing a well-balanced, multi-disciplined team of athletes who are at the top of their game," said Dowker.

"It has been over eight years since SLSA toured South Africa so it will be a special occasion for all athletes. We are under no illusion as to how big a challenge it will be, taking on the world's best surf sport competitors.

"The timing of the tour works well for us and the athletes will have just peaked for our national championships in Perth. The key issue will be how well we recover between Sunday finals in Perth and the first of three-test series the following Friday.

"The International Surf Rescue Challenge in South Africa will be the first of three major international competitions this year and plays an important role in the lead up to Rescue 2010 where we will be aiming to defend our number one world ranking.

"The makeup of our team is not only one of the strongest that I've seen but also one that is full of leaders and versatile sports stars," Dowker said.

The team will depart to South Africa after the 2009 Whereis® Australian Surf Life Saving Championships in Perth, which will be held on 17-22 March at Scarborough Beach in Perth.

The International Surf Rescue Challenge will be held in Durban in South Africa on 27-29 March with three tests to be held.

Australian Team - 2009 International Surf Rescue Challenge

         Shannon Eckstein - Captain (Northcliffe)

         Zane Holmes (Northcliffe)

         Nathan Smith (Northcliffe)

         Chris Allum (Cronulla)

         Hugh Dougherty (Burleigh Heads/Mowbray Park)

         Tom Nolan (North Cottesloe)

         Kristyl Smith (Northcliffe)

         Naomi Flood (Manly)

         Courtney Hancock (Northcliffe)

         Elizabeth Pluimers (Northcliffe)

         Alicia Marriott (City of Perth)

         Cara Langendam (Bulli)

         Surf Boat Crew - North Cottesloe J:

        Derek Knox 
        Kim Greville 
        David Porzig 
        Peter Charles 
        Jack Alliss