2/06/25 Victorian lifesavers headed to the US to take on California’s best

02 June 2025
Sport
Clubs

2/06/25

A team of 10 volunteer lifesavers from across Victoria will go head-to-head with California’s lifeguards in the upcoming Wieland Shield surf sports competition.

The Wieland Shield has been run in partnership between LSV and Los Angeles County Lifeguards since 1967, with the bi-annual competition being hosted in the US and Australia on alternate years.

Competitors will take part in a range of lifesaving sport disciplines including swim, board and surf ski race, surf rescue relay, beach relay, ironman and ironwoman events.

*Full list of competitors below.

Life Saving Victoria currently holds the Wieland Shield perpetual trophy, after winning the last event held at Ocean Grove and Anglesea in 2024 (delayed from 2023 due to COVID).

On top of being a fierce and fun international sporting competition, the Wieland Shield is also an opportunity for members of both services to learn from each other and build relationships around the common purpose of keeping our respective communities safe in the water.

The Life Saving Victoria team is currently training in preparation for the event before flying out to California in July.

Coach Matt Henderson said the team would do the lifesaving movement proud, both in competition and as ambassadors for Life Saving Victoria.

“The Wieland Shield is a unique and prestigious competition. It’s an incredible experience for our lifesavers to be part of,” Mr. Henderson said.
 

“The team not only gets the chance to test their skills against California’s finest lifeguards in competition but join them in a range of lifesaving exchange activities to share knowledge and skills, enabling them to keep our respective beaches safe.”

The team will be at the LSV State Centre in Port Melbourne for a fundraiser to support the tour, which will be held on Friday, June 28.

For further information contact the LSV Media team: media@lsv.com.au / 03 9676 6970.

 

The 2025 Wieland Shield Life Saving Victoria Team:

Campbell Bohan – Half Moon Bay SLSC

Jesse Coulson – Half Moon Bay SLSC

Jack Slykhuis – Half Moon Bay SLSC

Reidel Smith – Half Moon Bay SLSC

Ciara Walsh – Mordialloc LSC/Torquay SLSC

Mackie Hunter – Portsea SLSC

Harvey Larke – Portsea SLSC

Charlotte Mahon – Portsea SLSC

Xavier Purcell – Portsea SLSC

Harris Henderson – Torquay SLSC

 

Coach: Matt Henderson – Torquay SLSC

Team Manager: Anthony Purcell – Portsea SLSC

Team Support: Matt Mahon - Portsea SLSC