ECKSTEIN AND HANCOCK LEAD 2012 TRAIN-ON SQUAD
April 13: Fresh from winning Ironman and Ironwoman gold at the DHL 2011 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, Shannon Eckstein and Courtney Hancock have been selected in a star-studded Australian train-on squad for Rescue 2012, World Life Saving Championships, to be held in Adelaide in November next year.
Eckstein, who claimed his fourth Ironman title and Hancock, who won her first, will be joined by Kurrawa's Olympian Ky Hurst, who makes a welcome return to the Australian Surf Life Saving representative scene.
Rescue 2012 will involve five separate competitions (World National Team Championships (NT), World Interclub Championships (IC), World Masters Championships, World Surf Boat Championships, and World Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Championships) and nine separate disciplines (swimming, simulated emergency rescue competition, Ironman / Ironwoman, surf-ski, board, beach sprints, beach flags, surf boats and IRB).
The Eckstein led Australian team won the World National Team Championships in Egypt in 2010 and in Germany in 2008 and will go into the Championships favoured to defend their crown.
Glenelg Beach will host the National Teams, Beach and all IRB events; Christies Beach will be the home of all Masters, Interclub and Surf Boat events while the yet to be opened, state-of-the-art Adelaide State Aquatic Centre will host all Rescue 2012 Pool events.
Rescue 2012 (Lifesaving World Championships) train-on squad
Thomas Nolan - North Cottesloe
Shannon Eckstein - Northcliffe
Hugh Dougherty - Tugun
Chris Allum - Cronulla
Andrew Bowden - Bronte
Ali Day - Warilla-Barrack Point
Dev Lahey - Northcliffe
Kendrick Louis - Collaroy
Ky Hurst - Kurrawa
Melissa Howard - Kurrawa
Miranda Bell - Maroochydore
Elizabeth Pluimers - Northcliffe
Courtney Hancock - Northcliffe
Kristyl Smith -Northcliffe
Stephanie Ballantine - Kurrawa
Alicia Marriott - Mooloolaba
Devon Halligan - Manly
Amy Nurthen - Terrigal
RESCUE 2012 SCHEDULE
Wed 7th November Opening Ceremony
Thus 8th November NT Pool / Masters Beach
Fri 9th November NT Pool / Masters Beach
Sat 10th November NT Ocean / Masters Pool /
IRB Competition
Sun 11th November NT Ocean / Masters Pool /
IRB Competition
Mon 12th November Rest Day
Tues 13th November IC Pool
Wed 14th November IC Pool
Thus 15th November IC Pool
Fri 16th November IC Ocean / Boat Comp
Sat 17th November IC Ocean / Boat Comp
Sun 18th November IC Ocean / Boat Comp
* NT = National Teams, IC = Interclub
Meanwhile, Australian Selectors have also announced a talented Under-19 squad for the 2011 Arafura Games, to be held in Darwin in May.
Cronulla's Kyle O'Brien will lead the eight-member team which features Manly's triple Australian gold medallist, Devon Halligan.
Australian Under-19 team - Arafura Games
Kyle O'Brien (Captain) - Cronulla
Trent Klouzal - Manly
Sam Earp - Swansea Belmont
Luke Heery - Picnic Bay
Rachelle King - Terrigal
Jessica Collins - Redhead
Christina Ruiz - Jan Juc
Devon Halligan - Manly
Coach: James Evans (Mordialloc)
Manager: Garry Mensforth (Umina)
COACHING AND MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS
Australian Pool Rescue Coach: Russell Green (Open - German Cup)
Australian Surf Development Coach: Jeff Mowbray (U/19 team - Sanyo Bussan Cup)
Australian Pool Rescue Development Coaches: Wade Sinclair (U/19 team - NZ Pool Championships) - James Evans (U/19 team - Arafura Games)
Australian Development Team Managers: Garry Mensforth (U/19 team - Arafura Games), Mark Williams (U/19 team - NZ Pool Championships), Michael Bate (Open team - German Cup)