WINNING state titles is becoming a habit for Warrnambool surf lifesaver Stephen Kerr.
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The Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club coach set the perfect example for his charges on the weekend, collecting his fifth consecutive Victorian Lifesaving Championships open men’s board relay gold medal.
Kerr put on a master class to defeat Ocean Grove’s Alexander Selway, representing the host club, for the crown.
The board relay attracted 45 entries, with 16 competitors making it through to the final. They included fellow Warrnambool talents John Hart (fourth) and Matt Hardiman (fifth).
Kerr, Hart and Hardiman teamed up to win gold in the open men’s board relay.
Kerr said he was thrilled to win his seventh board state title overall.
“I was very happy to secure a fifth title in a row,” he said.
“It was a pretty tight race. My start was OK but I got knocked off by a wave on the way out so I had a little bit to do to catch up to a couple of Ocean Grove paddlers but I caught them by the turning markers.”
Kerr said promising teenager Hardiman showed his potential in open ranks with a strong performance in the open board relay win.
Hardiman did the final leg, maintaining a lead Kerr built.
Warrnambool’s Jane McMeel showed her prowess on the sand, claiming the under 19 women’s 2km beach run.
McMeel also collected bronze in the open women’s board relay alongside clubmates Greta Stromvall-O’Brien and Freya Parotte.
Kerr said McMeel had enjoyed an impressive summer.
“She won that (the individual race) quite convincingly. She’s in good form in the beach run,” he said.
“She backed it up in the open women’s board, where she put in a stellar paddle.”
Warrnambool juniors Paddy O’Brien, Hugh Ryan and Mick Slockwitch snared gold in the under 15 boys’ surf relay.
Kerr said the trio saved their best until last.
“They have been battling it out with Ocean Grove,” he said. “Along with us, they are one of the stronger paddling clubs in the region.
“They (the Warrnambool team) have been second all year but managed to turn the tables in the state titles.”
Kerr said Warrnambool was pleased with its medal haul.
“We were hopeful we might have scored another one in the under 17 board with Matt Hardiman but he had bad luck and missed out,” he said.
Port Fairy’s Daniel Murrihy scored silver in the under 19 men’s 2km beach run.