Aust. surf team untested

Press, 15 January 1982, Page 3

Aust. surf team untested

Bi-

RAY CAIRNS

A minor tragedy nearly struck the Australian surf lifesaving team within an hour of its arrival in New Zealand. -at Christchurch yesterday. As the team's surf skis and malibu boards were being loaded on to Canterbury officials' vehicles and trailers, a frantic Canterbury team captain. Geoff Walker, yelled for a vehicle to stop. The van. being backed out of a loading bay. had just clipped the edge of the ski belonging to Michael Braund. the Australian captain. The expensive craft was. almost miraculously, undamaged. But only millimetres made the difference, for the packing was broken from one end of the ski. Ironically. Walker and Braund. will also be in competition with each other in the Ansett-spon-sored. carnivals at Waikuku Beach (tomorrow) and Taylors Mistake (Sunday), and the Australian manager. Mr Peter Pearce, of Sydney, sees their first meetings as most interesting "We all know Geoff is your best ski paddler. and Michael has an outstanding record over many years." said Mr Pearce. He particularly pointed to Braund being placed fourth in the Lucky Strike ski marathon in South Africa last vear

Though most attention with this team will naturally focus on the teenaged "prodigy" Grant Kenny. Mr Pearce was adamant that this "is the strongest surf lifesaving team ever sent out of Australia. There were 96 nominations and it took the selectors a day and a half to select the team "

Such is the strength of the Australian movement, too. that there are only six of the national team which loured the United States in June. The results on that tour were excellent, said Mr Pearce and he said the team took particular pleasure from beating the Americans in a Dorv race the equivalent of surf canoe racing, which is not part of the Australian scene.

"We'd like to have a go here in canoes." said Mr Pearce, but the craft, has, not yet been accepted in Australia. Australia last toured Xew Zealand 15 years ago. but competition was resumed two years ago. when Xew Zealand made its tour. That tour will be repeated next year, and then a biennial circuit will commence in 1985.

"We ll be more than interested to see the Xew Zealand team, as we have a great admiration for New Zealand competitors." said Mr Pearce But that team will not be known for more than a week yet. with the trials at Mount Maunganui next weekend