Australian surf life saving championship: Double ski shock, veteran iron guns star on day 1

A famous ironwoman made an unexpected return, veteran ironmen and Olympians made statements and a band of young kayakers and ski paddlers stole the show on day 1 of the Aussies.

Sensational action and photos from the opening day of the open Aussies.

There’s no luckier man on the sand at Scarborough than Manly surf lifesaver and veteran ironman Kendrick Louis.

Louis has won every one of his four Australian titles, which include one in the U17, two in the U19s and his 2018 open crowns, at the famous Perth beach.

It augurs well for Louis in Sunday’s Ironman finale with the 32-year-old veteran opening his campaign for success with a victory in the quarter-finals of the ironman on Wednesday.

Louis is hoping to outwit the young bucks of the sport in what could be his final appearance in popular race at the Australian surf life saving championships.

“I wanted to make a statement today. I was actually quite nervous,’’ he said.

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Kendrick Louis at the Aussies

He and defending champion Ali Day are the only two reigning Australian ironman champions likely to be in the field.

“Knowledge is power I hope,’’ he said.

“We have to outsmart these guys. We can’t do it with speed.’’

Louis won his quarter-final with Day (Surfers Paradise) third in his. Others winners were Jay Furness from Cronulla, Jackson Borg from Newport and Hayden Cotter from Manly.

Ironwoman Courtney Hancock at Aussies

Ironwoman, Courtney Hancock has revealed a race years ago that did not go her way still hurts her and is what is motivating her ahead of her bed for a piece of history on Sunday.

The 30-year-old ironwoman has won two previous titles, the last a decade ago, and has recorded numerous runners-up placings.

One of those, back in 2019, still riles Hancock who trains out of the Surfers Paradise club.

Hancock was leading the race when smashed by a wave, which ended her bid for a third Australian crown.

How good are #Aussies2023 Day one done and dusted. Now on to day 2. Bring it on! 👉 https://t.co/WOYlXqBHNC Great video from @SLSAustraliapic.twitter.com/4o4paly7yr

— amanda lulham (@amandalulham) March 29, 2023

“There are races that you always think about, and that’s one of them,” Hancock said after winning her semi-final on Wednesday.

“I ran into the final leg in first and got smashed by a massive set.

“That race really got to me.’’

Georgia Miller went on to win that year but is absent in 2023 after a shocking training injury which left her with fractures in her back and a lacerate spleen.

Jordan Mercer and daughter Milee

Ironwoman Jordan Mercer made an unexpected return to racing when she overheard a comment made by a rival on the beach.

Mercer, who gave birth to her first child, daughter, Milee just for months ago said overhearing someone expressing surprise that she would even attempt to race had fired her up to give it a go.

Mercer, who grew up at Wollongong south of Sydney but now resides on the Sunshine Coast, where she is ski coach at the Noosa club, handed baby Milee off to her mother while father Darren, a famous ironman himself, handled for his daughter.

Mercer look the goods for half of the ironwoman heat before fading and missing out on a spot in the quarter-finals.

Paddling chaos at Aussies. Pictures: HarvPix

In a strange twist of fate an Australian kayaking selector beat the athletes he closely monitors for Australian teams to take out the open men’s double ski.

Former paddling Olympians and North Cottesloe competitors Stephen Bird and Jesse Phillips beat a stacked field to claim gold from Newport (Jayke Rees and Max Brooks) and Kurrawa’s Daniel Mole and Jackson Collins.

The men's double ski winners caused a shock.

Sensational action and photos from the opening day of the open Aussies.

She started life as a surf lifesaver for Queenscliff and Manly but now ironwoman champion Naomi Flood is making her mark as a coach.

“We had a phenomenal team and the strength of female ski relays at the moment … I haven’t seen it this deep in a long time,’’ said Hannah Sculley, part of the open exam which won in a photo finish.

“To be able to race everyone there, and to be able to have a really good race and come away with the win is just phenomenal.

The open ski winners Northcliffe.

“The 17s and 19s just won it as well, so we took the three which is pretty phenomenal.

“We put a lot of work in, we’re always there training hard. Floody (Naomi Flood) is one of the best coaches in this sport and that’s why so many of us female athletes want to go train with her and I’m lucky to be a part of that.’’

Close finish in the open ski relay.

Northcliffe’s Danielle McKenzie, Sculley and Naomi Scott beat Alexandra Headland’s Aly Bull, Emma Woods and Lana Rogers and Newport’s Jemma Smith, Lizzie Welborn and Piper Harrison.

Northcliffe beat Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park and Dicky Beach in the U17s and Avoca and Burleight Heads in the U19s.

Action in the open ironman.

Newport dominated the U19 double ski.

The powerhouse Sydney club, Newport pulled off a surprise double in the U19 double ski, final on Wednesday.

All four members of the two first placed boats are currently in the Australian kayaking program and recently named in junior teams for upcoming international events.

The new pairing of Maguire Read and Ziko Vesely claimed the gold from teammates, Bailey Clues and Harrison Taurins.

The Swansea Belmont team of Beau McGregor and Kurt Murphy finished third.