Jessica Jackson from Seaspray Surf Club has claimed her place among the world’s best in beach flags.
Jackson won through to the final 16 to finish twelfth in the women’s beach flags of the open interclub (ocean) at the Lifesaving World Championships held on the Gold Coast.
Jackson was among more than 5000 competitors from almost 50 countries who competed at the championships held at Kurrawa Beach and the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, concluding on September 9.
Her performance cements Jackson’s place among Australia’s best beach flags competitors. In April, she finished in the top 10 at the Australian titles – that was the second time she had ranked among the top 10 open female beach flag athletes at the national championships.
Jackson said she had lined up against many of the 79 competitors over the 2023-24 season who she faced at the world titles.
“Beach flags competitors are strong and fast on the sand,” she said.
“I knew it would be a tough event and it was.”
“I was really pleased with how I went and it was great to have my dad and sister on the sidelines as my support crew and to cheer me on.”
Jackson was the only competitor representing Seaspray at the event. Her performance earned the club five points and equal 52nd place out of 137 open ocean interclub teams. Among the teams from Victoria, Seaspray was third behind Half Moon Bay and Anglesea.
Jackson said she trained with Seaspray clubmate Zali Gallagher with Gippsland Track Cub coach Denis Huffer during the off-season as she prepared for the world titles. And due to a break in her usual training with Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club, she trained alone on the beach.
“Surf life saving sports continue year-round for the girls who represent clubs in Queensland and New South Wales because the weather is nicer and the water is warmer than in Victoria,” Jackson said.
“Anything can happen in beach flags – people can stumble and fall, flags can get lost in the sand – so it can be anyone’s race to win or to lose.
“I enjoyed racing against athletes from so many different countries and afterwards I swapped my Seaspray shirt for an Argentinian one.”
The International Lifesaving Federation organises the Lifesaving World Championships every two years.
The event showcases excellence in lifesaving sports and rescue. Events include pool life saving, surf boats, inflatable rescue boats, and ocean and beach events for youth, open and masters.
Competitors represented teams from countries including from Brazil, Japan, Belgium, United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Spain.
Seventy-nine competitors representing countries around the world contested the women’s beach flags of the open interclub (ocean) at the world titles held at Kurrawa Beach on the Gold Coast.
Photos: Contributed
