With most water events suspended for the day due to powerful surf conditions, all eyes turned to the beach events on Day One of the 2017 NSW Masters Surf Life Saving Championships at Swansea Belmont SLSC.

A new face on the podium picking up Gold in his first time competing at State Champs was former Senator and Federal Sports Minister, Mark Arbib.



The current President of Athletics Australia and Bronte SLSC surf lifesaver won the 2km Beach Run in his age division, after his daughter won the U11 1km Beach Run last weekend.



Mark’s background in surf life saving began as a nipper at Nth Bondi and with his kids now doing nippers at Bronte SLSC, life has come full circle


“This is a fantastic event and it’s great to see that like athletics, you can be involved for life – from nippers, to patrolling the beach and competing,” he said.

With many ‘beachies’ also involved in track and field and other competitive and recreational running activities, the cross-pollination between the sports seems natural.



“I’d like to see Surf Life Saving and Athletics organisations work more closely together,” he said.



While patrolling a busy Sydney beach like Bronte keeps the volunteers on their toes, Mark Arbib says it’s the people that make it work.



“It’s a good family club and everyone looks out for each other.”



 



Wednesday 8 March 2017