Surf lifesaving: Stars fear career damage if they speak out against sport changes

Surf lifesaving stars fear their careers could be in jeopardy if they speak out about the sport’s changes, as their clubs claim there’s nowhere else to turn.

SURF lifesaving stars fear their careers could be in jeopardy if they speak out about the changes to the Nutri-Grain series, as their clubs claim there’s nowhere to turn to answer their concerns.

Surf Life Saving Australia’s decision to incorporate additional disciplines such as stand up paddle boarding and cross-fit style obstacles into the one-off Iron X race has sparked huge controversy among the sport’s fraternity.

STUNNING REVOLT AGAINST SLSA AFTER UNPOPULAR CHANGES

Maddy Dunn, Courtney Hancock, coach Naomi Flood, Danielle McKenzie and Harriet Brown. Picture Glenn Hampson

As revealed in Saturday’s Bulletin, a band of six heavyweight clubs – including Northcliffe, Currumbin and Kurrawa – will run a breakaway “Summer of Surf” competition in response to the rejigged format.

Due to the changes to the Nutri-Grain iron series, elite athletes are now essentially being forced to train up on new skills to take part.

A Gold Coast-based athlete yesterday said that they wanted to voice their opposition to SLSA’s changes but feared speaking out could damage their future prospects.

The athlete said that they loved surf lifesaving and competing but disagreed with SLSA’s decision to incorporate additional disciplines as it is at odds with the sport’s fundamental principles.

Northcliffe women's coach Naomi Flood. Photo by Richard Gosling

SLSA did not return calls when approached by the Bulletin for comment yesterday.

While athletes struggle to come to grips with the future of their sport, Northcliffe senior women’s head coach Naomi Flood said that clubs were at a complete loss.

CHANGES WILL ‘KILL SURF LIFE SAVING: NORTHCLIFFE PRESIDENT

“When you have issues within you sport, you go to the governing body and they help you but Surf Life Saving Australia are the ones creating issues and drama,” she said.

“They don’t listen to us.

“We went to their forum earlier this year and 99 per cent of us said ‘why are you doing this?’. Why are you killing our sport?

“It’s our governing body doing this to us so we don’t know who else to talk to.

“We’re unsure of what to do next.”

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Newport president James Brooks, who is a member of the newly formed Surf Sports Representative Committee which will run three Summer of Surf events, agreed that clubs didn’t know where to turn.

James Brooks with son Charlie Brooks

“They (SLSA) received a clear message from stakeholders and the six largest clubs in surf sports who invest the most money into the sport that we didn’t want these changes,” he said.

“It’s beyond comprehension that they’d ignore 95 per cent of their athletes and go against their wishes.”

Brooks said that Newport athletes felt disillusioned with SLSA and were struggling to come to grips with the fact their governing body believes their sport is dying.

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“I’ve been spending considerable time providing emotional support for athletes in our club and other clubs that feel incredibly let down by SLSA,” he said.

“They are hurt, frustrated and confused why the organisation they have served so loyally will not listen to their feedback.”