Australian surf life saving championships: Stars, standouts, results in Masters at Aussies 2022

There were strange results, close calls, emotional wins and medal rushes galore in the Masters racing at the Australian surf life saving championships. Results, best stories wrap.

As rivalries go it’s a long one - dating back an extraordinary 25 years and across hundreds of surf carnivals.

As results go it’s a strange one with the teams from North Bondi and Newport dead-heating for the first time at the masters championships on the Gold Coast on Tuesday in the 35-36 double ski final.

Former Australian kayaker and NSWIS paddling coach Luke Michael said he couldn’t believe the result after he had rushed around 4km up the beach on a buggy to the start line after winning gold in the 2km run just minutes earlier.

Athletes from around Australia competing at the Masters surf life saving. Pic: HarvPix

“It’s incredible,’’ said the North Bondi surf life saver of the result with Newport duo Greg Tobin and Luke Jones and his brother who was also a top Australian kayaker.

“We’ve been at it a good while now, since the U13s. Greg was with Swansea Belmont when we started.

“We had a close one in the U18 doubles and in 2016 we were all on the podium together as well.’’

The ski race at Masters with Luke Michaels.

Tobin said he has relished the rivalry over the years.

“We’ve all gone through Nippers together and racing against each other in juniors - these guys (Luke and Jake) were freak man childes back in the day,’’ he said.

“Jake was almost an Olympian, both the brothers were in the Australian kayak team for a while, and Jonesy won the Open Double Ski title last year with Trimmy (Mitchell Trim).

“That’s what Masters is all about, it’s coming back together with less of an alpha male attitude that we all had as juniors.

“The competitiveness drops, and we were having a chat about our ski set up and not worrying about all the other stuff.’’

Winners are grinners after the ski.

35-39 DOUBLE SKI FINAL

1 North Bondi Luke Michael, Jacob Michael

2 Newport Greg Tobin, Luke Jones

3 Half Moon Bay Russel Fox, Cary Fox

NORTH BONDI WIN BIG AT MASTERS

It was a finish for the record books - former kayak Olympian Jimmy Walker paddling down ironman legend Grant Kenny in the final leg to win his the 150 surf ski relay with his clubmates.

The North Bondi star lead his clubmates to a sensational victory on the final day of the Masters at Broadbeach.

“It was fantastic. I came through watching Grant Kenny. He is older and I’m training harder but I got to race against him and beat him for a gold medal

“The medal is one thing the medal is one thing but that’s the highlight of my paddling career, seeing him out in front and having to chase him.

“I got the biscuit today because I’m a bit younger. It’s unreal.’’

150 YEARS SINGLE SKI RELAY

1 North Bondi Scott Thomson, Jim Walker, Andre Dalton

2 Alexandra Headland Grant Kenny, Martin Kenny, Jeffrey Lemarseny

3 North Entrance Steve Allan, Peter Laing, Jared Wait

Bondi's Cyril Baldock at the Masters surf life saving. Pic: HarvPix

BONDI’S CYRIL BALDOCK STILL FIRING AT 78

Well known Bondi competitor Cyril Baldock is doing what he does best - winning more medals at the Aussie masters - this time in the 75+ surf swim.

The oldest Australian to swim the English Channel back in 2014, Baldock is now 78 and one of the elder statesmen of surf life saving.

“There is nothing like it, the camaraderie and the tradition of surf life saving. It’s all so fantastic, I just love it,’’ he said.

The championships are full of familiar faces with the like of Grant Kenny and Darren Mercer also competing.

1 Cyril Baldock, Bondi

2 Chez Suska, North Kirra

3 Peter McMahon, Alexandra Headland

4 Leonard Harris OAM Maroochydore

Candice Warner was making a return to racing at the Aussies for North Bondi. Pic: HarvPix

CANDICE WARNER IN MEMORABLE AUSSIES RETURN

It didn’t take long for former professional ironwoman Candice Warner to be back on the podium after arriving at her first Aussies in a decade.

The 37-year-old mother of three, whose husband is cricketer Dave Warner, took silver medal in the board rescue with North Bondi teammate Eloise Starr.

Newport’s Nick Carroll competing in the ski.

TRIPLE GOLD FOR HAYDEN SMITH IN ONE DAY

It took plenty of effort and training but just a few hours for Central Coast’s Hayden Smith to claim the gold medals at the Aussie masters.

The Terrigal surf life saver won the 40-44 year old surf race, board race and ironman in his first year in the age group.

“It’s fantastic. I’m super stoked,’’ he said after Monday’s triple.

40-45 IRONMAN

1 Hayden Smith Terrigal

2 Josh Meyer North Burleigh

3 Brendon Ross Redhead

40-45 SURF RACE

1 Hayden Smith Terrigal

2 Steven Boyd Sunshine Beach

3 Matthew Zalbergs Shelly Beach

40-45 BOARD RACE

1 Hayden Smith Terrigal

2 Brendon Ross Redhead

3 Josh Meyer North Burleigh

Athletes from around Australia competing at the Masters surf life saving. Pic: HarvPix

SPECIAL WIN FOR SUKIE SOUTHERN

Queenscliff’s Sukie Southern won gold in the 60-64 year Old Beach sprint and then dedicated the victory to her late husband Paul after making a comeback to running.

Southern had originally planned to compete at the state championships but they were cancelled due to the NSW floods.

“I thought having trained for it, I may as well come and do something for everyone here,” she said.

60-64 BEACH SPRINT

1 Sukie Southern Queenscliff

2 Karen Fischer Kurrawa

3 Linda McDowell Collaroy

HELEN DEAS’ WIN YEARS IN THE MAKING

Coogee surf club’s Helen Deas broke through for her first gold medal at the Aussies in the 50-54 year old female beach sprint event.

“I’ve been competing for 10 years and my training partner Sharyn, she usually wins and we push each, but today was my day. I’m absolutely wrapped,” she said.

50-54 BEACH SPRINT

1 Helen Deas Coogee

2 Sharon Deans Coogee

3 Sue Waite Sorrento

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Originally published as Australian surf life saving championships: Stars, standouts, results in Masters at Aussies 2022