Australia Here We Come
Seventeen year old Pāpāmoa Surf Lifeguard Zac Cairns is part of the team heading to the Sunshine Coast this week to compete on the international stage at The Aussies. Having never been to The Aussies before, Zac says the trip is all about the experience and enjoying it.
“My goal is to race hard to see how I stack up to my age group and have lots of fun,” he says. “I believe it's going to be a great experience for the team and myself. Though the racing will be tough, it's a great opportunity to see how big this sport is over in Australia.”
Like many in the team, Zac has been inspired by kiwis achieving awesome things in the sport.
“Over the last couple of years it’s been great watching Joe Collins compete in the Nutri Grain Iron Series, seeing him in person at Nationals down in Christchurch and at the Mount this year,” says Zac. “I’ve been trying to copy his trademark ski start over this season.”
Zac has performed consistently throughout the season making most of his individual finals, with some outstanding results of 2nd in the Ironman at the Eastern Region Championships and 5th in the Ironman at Nationals.
“A goal of mine at the beginning of the season was to improve my consistency over each event and carnival,” he says. “I’ve had good results in the past but haven’t been able to do it over a full weekend of racing. I feel that I’ve improved a lot this year.”
Zac has been a member of the Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club since he was 5, joining as a nipper at Junior Surf.
“My parents were really keen for us to learn how to look after ourselves in the ocean living so close to the beach,” he says. “I’ve spent pretty much every summer season since down at Junior Surf, then Oceans and now Seniors and becoming a lifeguard.”
We wish all the athletes taking part in The Aussie the best of luck. A huge thank you to all our wonderful sponsors who have supported the club along the way:
As well as these businesses who have supported the team getting over to Australia:
The 2024 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships will be held on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland at Alexandra Headland SLSC, Maroochydore SLSC and Mooloolaba SLSC from 13 to 21 April 2024. More than 6000 competitors from Australia's 314 Surf Clubs come together to compete in 480 beach and ocean events over the nine days of action.
To follow all the action from the Aussies click here - https://liveheats.com/slsa
For more information on the 2024 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships click here - https://sls.com.au/aussies/
