Mackay Surf Lifesavers recently headed to the Aussie Titles on the Gold Coast to take on the best in the country and came out winners in the Champion Lifesaver event, proving that Mackay’s volunteer lifesavers are some of the best in the country.
Mackay’s very own Nate McKinnon took out 1st place in the U17’s becoming a record three-time national champion. Cadence McKinnon took out her first U14 national championship after dominating state titles for a number of years. Isabella Grant finished a gallant 6th in the U14 Champion Lifesaver event, after some challenges crept her way on the day.
Mackay SLSC Director of Surf Sports, Josh Grant said, “We are so very proud of what our lifesavers have achieved at a national level.
“Our coaching team have worked extremely hard to get our lifesavers to achieve at this elite level, and we’re a small but strong club, who are up against massive clubs with huge financial budgets to spend on their athletes.
“We do it out of love for our sport, commitment to our youth and the community, and this is what makes us strong, this is our club culture.
“Mackay will always punch above its weight when it comes to big lifesaving events.”
The Champion lifesaver event is very unique, and is something that epitomises what it means to be a lifesaver.
The physical element involves a beach sprint, board race, surf race and tube race with flippers. All events are held over the standard distance applicable for each race. Points are awarded out of 10, depending on where you finish. First place receives 10 points, 2nd place 9, 3rd 8 points and so on down to 1 point.
The practical element involves two separate components – performing a simulated assessment and resuscitation on a live patient and resuscitation on a manikin. Points are deducted for errors made with 20 points awarded for each component if no errors occur.
The theoretical element involves undertaking an exam paper consisting of 40 multiple choice questions. The questions are based on the current training manual, which has about 600 pages to learn. Each correct answer scores a point.
“It is extremely nerve racking when waiting for final results, as the ultimate winner is the person who scores the highest combined points after completing all three elements,” said Mr Grant.
“A perfect score is 120.
“It was happy days for Mackay Surf Club, and we were all very proud and extremely happy with what our club had achieved.”
Contributed by Josh Grant
Mackay’s Aussie Champions on the podium at nationals.
Mackay’s Champion Lifesaver team at Nationals: (L-R) Isabella Grant U14, Cadence McKinnon U14, Cathy McKinnon (Coach) and Nate McKinnon U17.
Mackay’s U14 Champion Lifesavers ready to take on the tube race.
U17 National Champion, Nate McKinnon making flying start to the individual surf board race.
U14’s Bella & Cadence get ready for the surf board race in challenging conditions. Photos supplied
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