After three days of tough competition Australia have managed to preserve their place as the champions of the International Surf Rescue Challenge finishing just eight points ahead of their rivals the Black Fins (New Zealand).

“It was a fantastic event at Maroochydore Beach and while there was competitive rivalry between the countries there was also great comradery and friendship shown,” Graham Ford President of Surf Life Saving Australia and the International Life Saving Federation said.

The seven teams, three youth and four open from Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Japan delivered some amazing performances.

The ISRC differs from other surf life saving events as the teams are restricted to eight competitors each for the entire event and a total of six active competitors per test.

To be successful in this format the athletes need to not only be competitive in their niche events, but versatile enough to compete across multiple disciplines.

“The format of the ISRC allowed the new debutants to excel and for all athletes to showcase their versatility as surf life saving athletes,” Ford said.

“Maroochydore Surf Club have put on a great event and we would like to thank them for their hospitality as well as giving a special mention to all of our officials who as per usual have done an exceptional job.”

The ISRC is one of a number of international events that the Australian teams will compete in leading up to Rescue 2016.

More at: http://sls.com.au/news/ISRC-wrap