Two young Tathra surf lifesavers have joined peers from across the state to get an insight into what it takes to be an elite surf sport athlete.
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Far away from the distraction of the school holidays, Kyarna Boulton and Zimitra Lyras and 42 more of the state’s most talented teenage ocean competitors were putting in the hard yards at the Surf Life Saving NSW 2018 Junior Development Academy.
The selected participants from across NSW gathered at Sydney’s Academy of Sport on the Northern Beaches last week for a unique development program aimed at youngsters who have demonstrated an aptitude for any of the water disciplines contested at a surf sport event.
The genesis behind the program is to create an opportunity for the young competitors to be exposed to a high performance environment, learn new skills that they can adapt to their own training, and create a pathway into the state’s senior representative squads and beyond.
With many of those selected already enjoying success at the NSW country and state championships, competition for spots was fiercely contested.
Tathra’s Kyarna and Zimitra were joined by Halle and Jorge Constable from Narooma SLSC and four members of Warilla-Barrack Point as the South Coast contingent at the academy.
Zimitra enjoyed the opportunity to meet her NSW based peers.
“I live in Canberra so my family has to travel several times a week for training. There’s always something new to learn in the ocean, and the camp was a very exciting experience.”
Throughout the three-day program (October 10-12), the athletes participated in training sessions under the eagle eye of some of the best surf sports coaches going around, attended discussions on nutrition, had their skills and techniques analysed and were introduced to high performance and recovery techniques.
One of the positive aspects of surf sports is that is experienced former competitors are generous with their knowledge and the young participants benefited from being able to talk to Michael Kember, Colin Marshall, and Michael Venis who have all represented their state and country.
Young guns Keeley Booth a current Australian Youth Life Saving Team member and Gabby Grieves also shared their knowledge of pool rescue, while Graham Lees OAM and Rhonda Lycett were instrumental in the success of the camp.
Additionally, some of the lectures were delivered by guest speakers with their own background in competitive sport providing a raft of interesting experiences. Mark Webster from Winning Edge spoke about the importance of sport psychology on performance, while victorious NSW Interstate Captain Mitchell Trim reflected on his journey from the junior to the senior ranks.
The opportunities to gain new skills were appreciated by the athletes.
“The track and beep tests were a lot fun and it was really good to be able to get out and have a paddle,” Jorge Constable said.
“I’ve only ever really been coached by my dad who has been really good for me, but this was a great chance to push myself further from a performance perspective. What the camp did teach me was that Pilates hurt!”
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SLSNSW surf sport development officer Chiara Nowland was impressed by the talent on display from the youngsters.
“While it was disappointing not to be able to finish on a high with a carnival due to the weather conditions, it was fantastic to see the improvement in just a few short lessons.
“The sport scientists and coaches were absolutely fantastic and for the athletes to get that knowledge at such a young age will be extremely beneficial to them, and I look forward to seeing how they progress both this summer and beyond,” Ms Nowland said.
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