Local lifesavers fly the flag

By Edward McLeish

Sandridge Lifesaving Club members Laurelle Stalker and Kristina Meskauskaite recently competed for Australia at the World Surf Ski Titles in Quiberon, France.

Our local Sandridge Lifesaving Club, located at the Boulevard in Port Melbourne, provides a range of opportunities for club members to participate in surf lifesaving sports locally, nationally and internationally.

Two active patrolling members, Laurelle Stalker (57) and Kristina Meskauskaite (43), competed against the world’s best in Brittany, France last month as part of the International Canoe Federation (ICF) 2019 Ocean Racing World Championships.

Kristina raced in Masters (40-44 year age bracket) and finished third in her age group and was the seventh female across the line. Laurelle also competed in Masters (55-65 age group) and finished fourth. Both were the first from the club to compete at the event.

There were tough selection criteria to be met to be selected for the five places in each age group. This involved competing at a number of international and domestic races across the season and accumulating points along the way.

According to both women, in a sport that now attracts some serious prize money, the competition is becoming tougher each season.

Add in the fact this sport requires paddling an ocean ski in conditions which are at Mother Nature’s discretion and often with high winds and significant ocean swell. So, to gain national selection is no mean feat.

Both Laurelle and Kristina have attended regular squad sessions at the Sandridge Lifesaving Club often in the early morning when temperatures are less than inviting for most.

Both women have juggled the commitments of demanding full-time jobs and training which has proven quite a challenge.

The Sandridge Lifesaving Club is a volunteer-run organisation of lifesavers and paddlers, dedicated to keeping Sandridge Beach and its visitors safe.

New members are always welcome.