Japanese lifesavers taste State championships

Two Japanese lifesavers got a taste of Aussie beach culture at Ocean Beach-Umina when they joined thousands of Open competitors at the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships from March 1 to 10.

Reina Ohyama and Tsukasa "Aichi" Sakakibara, both 19, had been in Australia for a month staying at Brighton Le Sands and training at North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club.

They competed at the branch carnival last month, but will return home before the Australian championship in mid-April.

"Every Aussie so nice to me," said Ohyama after she lined up for a heat of the open women's board event.

Due to a short beach season of six to eight weeks in Japan, lifesavers have limited time to hone their skills and beachgoers have the same limited opportunity to head to the sand for some fun in the sun.

"There is magnificent surf but due to the offshore breezes and the beaches facing directly towards the ocean, the water can be just 13 degrees while the air is 30 degrees," said Surf Life Saving NSW representative Ms Donna Wishart.

"For a couple of months a year the water temperature rises to 24 degrees."

North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club board captain Stewart Cameron worked in Japan in the off-season training a group of Hasaki Life Saving Club members in the board and ski disciplines, as well as how to patrol a beach.

Through a commercial operator, Hasaki Life Saving Club, the only surf club in Japan with an actual clubhouse, has an informal exchange arrangement with North Cronulla and Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club.

Cameron said there were many differences between Australian and Japanese beaches.

Their more popular beaches such as Nishihama can have a crowd of 100,000 turn up on a warm day.

"Cars drive onto the beach where barbecues are unpacked and often drinking alcohol starts in the morning as part of relaxation," said Cameron.

"Unless there is a storm, surf conditions are similar to those at the NSW state titles with flat seas and a tiny shore break.

"There are some strange Council rules like you can swim with a body board but no flippers in case you kick someone in the face.

"Also swimmers can't wear goggles in case they smash and break against your face if you are dumped by a shore wave."

Ohyama said the surf was much bigger in Australia, but there was less to worry about surfing in Japan given there were no sharks.

On the culinary differences she said: "I eat many sausages here."

Cameron has had a 48-year association with Australian surf lifesaving and a 25-year affiliation with Japanese surf lifesaving, which he said was a growing movement.

"Japanese lifesavers come to Australia for the cultural experience and they train with Australian champions like ironman Chris Allum, Will Budd, the national board champion from North Cronulla, and Maggie Mahoney, the Under-15 board champion.

"They are that keen to learn," said Cameron.

Swimmer and paddler Lara Hughes from North Cronulla agreed that they had a strong work ethic.

"I got to the pool the other morning and Reina was asleep in her car waiting for training to start."

Media Release, 8 Mar 2013

Donna Wishart, Surf Life Saving NSW