The Currumbin Vikings will this week challenge for their sixth straight national pool rescue title

CURRUMBIN will on Friday begin their assault on a sixth straight Australian Pool Rescue Championships point score title though it’s individual not team success driving the Vikings.

CURRUMBIN will on Friday begin their assault on a sixth straight Australian Pool Rescue Championships point score title though it’s individual not team success driving the Vikings.

Currumbin pool rescue coach Kurt Wilson said that the team put an emphasis on personal achievement above anything despite their outstanding collective results.

Members of the Currumbin Surf Lifesaving Club celebrate their win at the national pool rescue championships in Adelaide last year. They are searching for their sixth straight win this weekend. Picture: HARVPIX

“We focus first on individual excellence and then give them the platform to perform at a high level,” he said.

“If we win the point score, then that’s amazing and we’ll celebrate that but we don’t sit down and set that as our goal.

“We talk about what they want to achieve individually and the team success seems to follow.”

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After kicking off the pool rescue season in May, Wilson said the Australian titles was the pinnacle of the season and provided a great opportunity for athletes to push their case for national team selection, which Wilson also acts as head coach for.

“A lot of them are aiming towards representing Australia at the world titles but in the short term, a lot are looking to set personal bests and be part of our success,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity for them to make the national team so there’s a lot riding on it.

“They’ve put in a lot of energy and training but success breeds success.”

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Wilson earmarked Australian world record holders Prue Davies and Matthew Davies as athletes to watch as well as Natalie Peat, Callum Brennan, Lily Nicols and Jacob Loughnan.

Currumbin member Callum Brennan at Sunshine Coast Pool Rescue Competitions on June 16, 2018. Photo: SLSQ

“Our athletes really buy into our coaching program and set lofty goals for themselves,” he said.

“We have a lot of our U17, U19 and opens in the Queensland state team or even the national team.”

The Queensland cyclones will also be looking to defend their interstate title while Tweed Heads and Coolangatta are aiming for more masters glory.

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The pool rescue championships kick off today at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.