WILD SURF POUNDS COMPETITORS AT INTERSTATE

Scarborough, WA, March 18: Australian Ironman champion Shannon Eckstein proved he is in top form but also received a timely reminder about the unpredictability of the surf as he heads into tomorrow's 2009 Whereis® Australian Surf Life Saving Championships at Scarborough Beach.

Eckstein comfortably won the Ironman title at today's Australian Interstate Championships as competitors were pounded by unexpectedly big and powerful waves.

At this time of the year Scarborough Beach normally turns out calm conditions but such expectations were turned on their head yesterday - as were many competitiors - with waves up to two metres crashing onto the sandbank.

A powerful backwash complicated matters further and nearly cost Queenslander Eckstein the Ironman race.

If big waves are rare at Scarborough in March, then a mistake by the normally faultless three-time national champion is even more uncommon.

As a result the big crowd was shocked to see Eckstein lose control of his board when comfortably leading in the final leg of the ironman and have to swim back 50 metres to retrieve it.

That opened the door for his nearest rival, Hayden Allum of NSW, but Eckstein soon regained control to win comfortably.

The rare slip-up proved that if conditions remain as difficult until Sunday's Australian Ironman championship final, not even the in-form Eckstein can take anything for granted.

"It's going to be about just making sure you get through each round," he said.

"If you push it and snap a ski it could be all over before you even get to Sunday."

The wild conditions caused plenty of spectacular action, with competitors and their craft tossed about all day.

One of the favourites for the Australian Ironwoman championship, Manly's Naomi Flood had her troubles with the conditions in today's Interstate carnival, being hit by a big wave in the board leg as she led Queensland's Hayley Bateup.

Like Eckstein, Flood recovered and raced alongside Bateup until they headed back to the beach when it was the NSW competitors turn to benefit from the conditions as Bateup lost her board in a big wave.

When asked what she though of the ‘fun and games' caused by the conditions, she replied: "The games are OK but it's definitely not fun out there."

There were a number of injuries in the tough conditions, including three suspected spinal injuries and one dislocated shoulder. 

Ambulances were called for two of the competitors.

Conditions are expected to remain challenging tomorrow, with winds due to pick up slightly.

ENDS...