CURRUMBIN'S COOL-HEADED LIFEGUARD CONQUERS KURRAWA CONDITIONS

March 16: Even one of Australia's most celebrated Gold Coast lifeguards, Currumbin Beach Viking, Michael Chan admits that conquering Kurrawa on the opening day of the 2010 Whereis Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on the Gold Coast wasn't easy.

Strong winds, dumping two-metre waves and a strong northerly sweep greeted the Masters and Champion Lifesaver competitors on a testing opening day of the six-day "Aussies 10" carnival.

And organisers announced late today that the second day of Masters competition will definitely proceed at Kurrawa tomorrow.

Chan, the winner of seven Australian open gold medals as a member of the Currumbin Beach Champion Patrol Team between 1995 and 2001, showed a cool head and amazing surf skills to add to his gold medal tally.

The 39-year-old father of three took out the 34-39 years surf race and his first ever rescue tube final and backed up to take silver behind Steve Seddon of Victorian club Half Moon Bay in a competitive board race.

The surf race saw Chan back off a big wave, only to latch on to a smaller corner which took him all the way to the beach and the gold meal ahead of Craig Burke (Warilla Barrack Point) and Ashley Massie (Maroochydore).

"Living, working and training on the Gold Coast every day certainly gives us a big advantage and it reinforces just how tough and tricky conditions can get on the Gold Coast," said Chan.

"I have been in and out of the waters here every day over the past 20 years and you have to treat the ocean with respect and never take things for granted and use the rips to your advantage."

But even Chan admitted even the best competitors can get disorientated in the surf.

"In the rescue tube final the whole field was swept south after we went out in the rip and I had to stop, look back to the beach, pick out a land mark and then swim 75 metres to the north to find our buoys," said Chan.

"Some of the other guys got lost and swam to the wrong buoys, which is easy to do."

Chan's quick thinking won him his second individual gold medal with Tristan Read (Lorne, VIC) taking silver and Robert Edwards (Southport, Qld) the bronze.

Competitors and carnival officials alike have already had a testing time and the next five days will be challenging for all concerned, with open competition starting on Thursday.

Carnival spokesman Grant Baldock said the SLSA was working with other government agencies to gain the most up-to-date and accurate forecasts.

"We are monitoring conditions regularly," said Baldock.

"Obviously we're aware that conditions are predicted to deteriorate over the next few days so we're looking at our contingency locations.

"Safety of our competitors and officials is paramount and if we deem conditions too dangerous we will look to relocate. 

"The Aussies is a large event but we do have procedures in place to relocate.

"There are a number of options available to the Carnival Committee. If we do move from Kurrawa we must ensure the other location is safe. It's no good moving if the other

location is just as dangerous.

"We want to give all clubs and officials as much notice as possible about moving.  Our ideal plan is that we will make the decision the afternoon before and notify all team managers if we do decide to move.

"Team Managers will be notified by SLSA via text message and we'll continue to make further updates via PA announcements as well. People should also stay tuned to our website http://www.aussiechamps.com.au/ - regular updates will be posted on the homepage."

TIMETABLE:

Day 2, Wednesday: Masters (Ironwoman, Boats, Team events) - from 7am

Day 3, Thursday: Senior Competition (under 15, under 17s, under 19s, open)

Day 4: Friday: Senior Competition (under 15, under 17s, under 19s, open)

Day 5: Saturday: Senior Competition (under 15, under 17s, under 19s, open)

Day 6: Sunday (Finals): Senior Competition (under 15, under 17s, under 19s, open)