Scotch College

Scotch grabs surf lifesaving title

The Mordialloc Life Saving Club played host to the 3rd Victorian Schools Surf League on a hot 38 degree February evening.

This sport is relatively new to Scotch and to most Victorian schools where competitors test their lifesaving skills through a host of surf sports events.

Resurrecting the cardinal gold and blue lifesaving cap, the team's captain, Richard Davies, led Scotch through the competition of swimming and wading, board paddling, beach sprints, beach flags, and the gruelling Iron Man. The competition was tough with a number of very close finishes causing emotions to run high.

Tom Cade, Captain of the School, caused the beach flags event to culminate in a nail biting finish. This event requires a 10 second sprint up the beach to grab a piece of tubing followed by a long pause while athletes and officials prepare for the next sprint. It is quite similar to a game of "Musical Chairs" except it tests the life savers' reaction to a sudden rescue by getting up off the sand and sprinting for the patient. However when the start sounded Mordialloc beach erupted with spectators "screaming their lungs out" as Tom catapulted himself towards the target, "running down" this year's Surf Lifesaving Beach Champion to snatch the prize and win the event.

Other wins included the Run Swim Run Teams with Sam Webb, Jaime Reyne, Robert Luke, and Robert Hunwick. The Wade Relay with Tom Cade, David Silver, Richard Davies, and Robert Hunwick. Finally the Beach Relay with David Silver, Tom Cade, Andrew Birch, and Richard Davies.

Overall three teams of eight Scotch students competed for a berth in the finals, with the final 8 combining together well as a team under the enthusiastic, Mrs Heather Lacey. The other schools provided top level competition, with Scotch seizing the Victorian Schools Surf League Title for a second year in a row.