Warrnambool members will travel down the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay Surf Lifesaving Club with a squad of 45 athletes to compete against some of the best clubs and senior lifesavers in the state.

Senior competition co-ordinator Martin O’Brien said the squad was strong across multiple disciplines in the water, including board, swim and ski events.

O’Brien said that Sophie Thomas and Jane McMeel would be the ones to watch out for in the ironwoman and the open women’s board race.

He predicted a close battle between reigning open state champion Matt Hardiman, fellow Warrnambool open board rider veteran Steve Kerr and young gun Brayden Cassamento could deliver a highlight-filled race.

The club also has competitors in the ski races and a surf boat crew searching for success at the state’s biggest senior carnival.

O’Brien said the weekend’s weather forecast could play a part in results. 

“Conditions are looking fairly tame at this stage and that takes the element of luck out of some of the races, so the results won’t be so random and it will be easier to predict,” O’Brien said.

Thomas, a highly-successful swimmer in the pool, told Lifesaving Victoria the club’s squad was ready for action.

“The Warrnambool competitors are well prepared and ready to race, so hopefully we can produce some great results for our club over the weekend,” she said.