WAIS Athletes Dominate Perth Surf Ski Champs

WAIS paddlers made a clean sweep of all open surf ski medals at the State Surf Lifesaving Championships at Scarborough Beach on the weekend. The offshore wind throughout the weekend meant conditions were more akin to a kayak regatta than a surf carnival which allowed the WAIS paddlers to flourish.

Reece Baker (Marmion) had a dominant weekend winning the single ski, double ski, ski relay and taplin relay in convincing style. Brendan Sarson (Balcatta) was also in fine form winning the ironman event thanks to a powerful surf ski leg that took him from mid field to a clear lead. He also won the mixed double ski with former WAIS paddler Natasha Leaversuch and the over 24 surf race and was second in both the single ski, ski relay and belt race.

Jesse Phillips (Nollamara) was also a member of the silver medal winning ski relay team. Daniel Bowker (Kingsley) was a member of the bronze medal winning ski relay team from Sorrento.

In the women’s events Lisa Russ (Hilton) paddled well all weekend with victories in the ski relay and women’s double ski with Australian Iron Woman Champion Alicia Marriott as well as a second place finish in the mixed double ski and taplin relay. Russ completed her weekend with a third place finish in the single ski event.

Alana Nicholls (Dianella) showed that she is going to be a strong chance at National Surf Championships also with a strong win in the open women’s ski as well as picking up minor medals in the ski relay and mixed double event.

Although formally not on a WAIS scholarship junior paddler Brendan Rice (Carine) who was been training with the WAIS squad for the past six months won all four surf ski events on offer in the under 19 division.

Full results can be found here. http://mybeach.com.au/files/active/0/2008-09%20WA%20Senior%20State%20Championships%20-%20Complete%20Standings.pdf

Next week from 11 – 15 March the Australian Canoe Sprint Championships will be held in Perth for the first time at the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre where WAIS paddlers will look to continue with their good form. Results will be updated regularly at www.wais.org.au