Aussies make surf lifesaving history with clean sweep at International Surf Rescue Challenge

Durban, South Africa, March 29: The Australian Surf Lifesaving team today entered the history books with a clean sweep in the final test of the International Surf Rescue Challenge in Durban, South Africa.  

The Aussies won 24 gold medals in 24 events, dominating the third and final test ahead of South Africa, Great Britain and USA.  

While the Aussies headed into the test series heavy favourites, even the competitors themselves were surprised to win every event in the final test with challenging surf and top racing from South Africa keeping them on their toes.  

Australian Team Captain and World Ironman Champion Shannon Eckstein, led his team from in front winning an impressive six events in the final test alone.  

Eckstein, first time captain of the Australian Team, said this team for the International Surf Rescue Challenge was the strongest they have ever had.  

"All the water competitors are multi-disciplined athletes so we could afford to rest athletes where we needed and conserve energy," said Eckstein.  

"Coming straight out of the Australian Championships, which are four big days of racing, it was good for us to have such depth in our team and we could race smartly.  

"Our ultimate goal was to come here and win every event - you don't get up every morning at 5.00am to come second.  Each day we just came down here and put our best foot forward and its paid off.  

"Everyone on our team has so much experience and dedication and that is what got us across the line," he said.    

There was no one star of the Aussies, with all competitors stepping up and performing well both on the beach and in the water.  

Aussie team debutants Courtney Hancock, Elizabeth Pluimers and Hugh Dougherty impressed all with great performances across all three tests, each with numerous victories under their belt.  

No strangers to representing Australia the Smith siblings, Kristyl and Nathan were once more reunited after Kristyl took 12 months off from surf lifesaving to travel.  

But there were no signs that Kristyl hadn't raced for Australia in a while, with the recently crowned Australian Ironwoman today taking out the Open Ironwoman, Surf Swim and Ski events today alone.  

Brother Nathan also had his fair share of victories, also taking out the Surf Swim, Board Rescue and Surf Teams.  

The last time the Australian Surf Life Saving team toured South Africa it was a very different look team except for one - Zane Holmes. 

Holmes toured back in 2001 and this time round was no longer the rookie of the team but rather one of the leaders, with his experience helping pull his team through in a number of crucial team events.  

In the Surf Boats it was the three-time Australian Champions from North Cottesloe that represented Australia and won three from three against the South African Open and U23 crews.  

It wasn't an easy task for the boaties, with their own boat not making the trip in time and stranded in Mauritius forcing them to row a local club's boat that was a little older that what they were used to rowing.  

But experience was where it counted most and this crew had it in bucket loads, with the sweep Jack Allias given a last minute medical clearance to join the team where he rowed them to back to back victories.  

On the beach it was speedsters Cara Langendam and Tom Nolan who impressed the local crowds, both taking out the Beach Sprint and Beach Flags events in spectacular fashion.  

In fact Langendam had a perfect record throughout all three tests in the International Surf Rescue Challenge, winning every event she went in.  

Australian Team Head Coach Brett Dowker said his team's performance is one that many will be talking about for year's to come.  

"To win every event at an international meet is something special," said Dowker.  

"This is one for the record books and I know I'll be framing the pointscore card that reads a perfect score of 92 points. 

"This Australian Team was widely spoken about as one of the best ever and I think every individual stepped up and lived up to the expectations put on them leading into the event.  

"From the new guys on the team right through to the veterans such as Eckstein, Holmes, Flood and the Smiths', everyone proved their worth and it truly was three days of superb racing," he said.  

The International Surf Rescue Challenge officially caps off the surf sports season, with most of the top athletes taking a month or so off before revaluating priorities for next season.  

RESULTS Test 3, International Surf Rescue Challenge, Durban, South Africa, Sunday 29 March: Male: Board: Hugh Dougherty (AUS) Ryan Brennan (SA) Dan Humble (GB) Beach Sprint: Tom Nolan (AUS) Luke Hindmarch (SA) Dan Humble (GB) Surf Race: Nathan Smith (AUS) Blane Wood (SA) Matt Caines (USA) Shannon Eckstein (AUS) Blane Wood (SA) Dan Humble (GB) Beach Flags: Tom Nolan (AUS) Luke Hindmarch (SA) Nick Thomas (GB) Surf Ski: Shannon Eckstein (AUS) Hank McGregor (SA) Dan Humble (GB) Rescue Tube Rescue: Australia, South Africa, Great Britain Beach Relay: Australia, South Africa, USA Board Rescue: Australia, South Africa, USA Taplin Relay: Australia, South Africa, Great Britain

Female : Board: Elizabeth Pluimers (AUS) Kim Braugmann (SA) Rachel Pascoe (GB) Beach Sprint: Cara Langendam (AUS) Mandi Maritz (SA) Charnia Weightman (GB) Surf Race: Kristyl Smith (AUS) Renee Locarnini (USA) Kendall Alford-Loots (SA) Ironwoman: Kristyl Smith (AUS) Michelle Eder (SA) Jennifer Noonan (USA) Beach Flags: Cara Langendam (AUS) Mandi Maritz (SA) Charnia Weightman (GB) Surf Ski: Kristyl Smith (AUS) Rachel Pascoe (GB) Michelle Edger (SA) Rescue Tube Rescue: Australia, USA, South Africa Beach Relay: Australia, South Africa, USA Board Rescue: Australia, South Africa, Great Britain Taplin Relay: Australia, South Africa, Great Britain

Mixed Teams: Board Relay: Australia, Great Britain, South Africa Ski Relay: Australia, South Africa, Great Britain Surf Teams: Australia, USA, South Africa

Pointscore: Australia 92 points, South Africa (64), USA (39), Great Britain (34). For more information please contact SLSA Surf Sports Media Manager Lauren Ryan on or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">'+addy_text71327+'<\/a>'; //-->