Wild conditions greet lifesavers

THE howling wind has stirred up tumultuous conditions at Kurrawa for this week’s Australian Surf Life Saving Championships and Bundaberg competitors have felt the full force.

They knew what they were in for, considering the Queensland titles were held at the same beach a fortnight ago.

But the cyclonic conditions on Australia’s east coast has only added to the frenzy, producing waves of two metres and building.

“It’s been absolute carnage, mate,” Elliott Heads masters competitor Craig Holden said.

Holden and Jeff Williamson progressed to finals in their events, but were both battered in the process.

“No one escaped the battering. That’s all it’s been so far — one big battering,” Holden said.

Riley McGregor has been the region’s only medallist to date, claiming silver in the under-19 champion lifesaver.

It was Queensland team-mate Taylor Redwood who pipped him to the crown, a disappointing result considering McGregor beat Redwood at the state titles.

Others to feature in the coming days include the Bundaberg under-15 R and R team, Jamie Findlay, and speedsters Jesse Hawkes, Bianka Dexter and Brayden Batt.

With testing conditions along the coast, Surf Life Saving Australia’s sport general manager Grant Baldock said he was continually watching the weather forecasts.

Options available to organisers include relocating the entire event.

“We’re working with other government agencies to gain the most up-to-date and accurate forecasts and we’re monitoring conditions hourly,” he said.

“If the event was to partially or fully move from Kurrawa, there are a number of sites available, but these depend on conditions.”