Northcliffe coach Naomi Flood says coaches will have to re-evaluate best coaching practices in light of SLSA’s changes
She’s a former Nutri-Grain series winner but even Northcliffe senior women’s coach Naomi Flood admits she’s worried about the changes about to hit Surf Life Saving Australia.
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SHE’S a former Nutri-Grain series winner, an Australian ironwoman champion, she’s won six Australian single ski titles and has even been to two Olympic Games.
But even Northcliffe senior women’s coach Naomi Flood will have to go back to the drawing board to develop a training program for the upcoming Nutri-Grain series.
WINNERS AND LOSERS OF NEW NUTRI-GRAIN SERIES
CHANGES WILL KILL SURF LIFE SAVING: NORTHCLIFFE PRESDIENT
STUNNING REVOLT AGAINST SLSA AFTER UNPOPULAR CHANGES
Surf Life Saving Australia’s decision to incorporate additional disciplines such as stand-up paddle boarding and cross-fit style obstacle challenges into the Nutri-Grain series as part of the stand-alone Iron X race has drawn extensive criticism but Flood believes the practical tests of the changes presented a far greater challenge.
“I’ve got to learn how to do stand-up paddling and cross fit exercises in a way that won’t injure our athletes,” the 33-year-old said.
“It makes me worry.
“If clubs have coaches that don’t know how to coach it then they’ll have to hire coaches who do and if clubs don’t have access to a cross-fit gym then they’ll have to pay to access one.
“We don’t have space for stand up paddle boards at our club and I’m not sure many clubs would have space.”
The 2009 Nutri-Grain series winner also said that athletes would also suffer as a result of the changes and the demands of having to train for additional elements beyond the original four traditional iron racing disciplines.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN: $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS
“We have swimmers training four to five times a week and amazing Coolangatta Gold athletes who are going to have to bulk up and change their training,” she said.
“It’s going to completely change their physique so then they won’t be able to swim well at all which defeats the purpose of having elite swimmers.
“They spend forever honing their fitness, ability and agility to be able to complete the current three disciplines but now you’re adding in all these additional elements which they haven’t trained for.”
Flood likened the introduction of new disciplines to the sport of surf life saving to a game of modified NRL.
“It’s like saying to the Titans that they’re going to play a game of football and the first half is normal but then the second half is split into two quarters and in the first they have to play AFL and then play netball in the second,” she said.
“If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.
“The demonstration event is, in theory, a good idea but it should just be an exhibition.”
SLSA did not return calls when approached by the Bulletin for comment.
Olympic medallist about to unleash world first tricks
Fresh off the back of a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, Natalya Diehm has revealed this weekend’s BMX Freestyle National Championships may be the launching pad to show the world tricks it has never seen.
‘Have a crack’: Gauntlet thrown down for SEQ track stars
An increased cash prize pool is set to draw Olympic, Paralympic and rising star athletes from across Queensland to the Sunshine Coast this weekend for the 2025 Track Challenge. See what the athletes had to say.