Young local lifesavers represent region at State Championships

SPORT

Karlie Brady

Journalist

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(Back) Sam Thomson, Tom Gall, Jack Sampson, (front) Jai Bower-Miles and Rochelle Johnson, from Port Douglas Surf Club will compete at the State Championships. Image: Supplied.

Five young local lifesavers will represent the region this weekend at the Surf Life Saving Queensland Youth State Championships on the Gold Coast.

Tom Gall (15), Jack Sampson (14), Sam Thomson (13), Jai Bower-Miles (12), and Rochelle Johnson (12), members of the Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club, will join over 1600 top competitors from all over the state this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The three-day event at North Kirra will be action-packed as the next generation of surf stars battle it out on the surf and sand in their quest for state glory.

The five Douglas athletes will make up part of the North Queensland Branch Team of 54 competitors from Mission Beach, Etty Bay, Cairns, Ellis Beach, and Port Douglas, selected for their outstanding results and enthusiasm at local surf carnivals.

Port Douglas Junior Activities Publicity Officer, Samantha Sampson, said the team has been hard at work training for the last three months, up to five days a week, including early morning and late afternoons sessions.

Due to the time of year, the team has had to get creative with their preparation.

“Training in North Queensland can be quite hard as it is stinger season,” Ms Sampson said.

“The team is unable to use the ocean so they use the Cairns Wake park and Babinda Wake park.”

They also trained on the beach at Yorkeys Knob plus extra swim training in the pool.

“Down at the competition they will compete in individual events including swim races, board races, Ironman, flags, sprints, and a two km run,” Ms Sampson said.

Competitors will also take part in team events which include a surf team, board team, Cameron team, board rescue, sprint relay, and an all-age relay event.

“The kids are all very excited as it has been a long wait to participate in this event after it was cancelled last year due to COVID-19.

“They are all loving the experience of going down there and catching some waves and making new friends from other clubs.

“On behalf of Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club we wish all the team the best of luck,” she said.

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