Denmark ready for big country splash

Ocean Beach is set to come alive this weekend as Denmark Surf Life Saving Club hosts the 2020 Country and Masters Surf Life Saving championships — the first time either event has been held outside Perth. In a major coup, Denmark was chosen as the location to bring the two championships away from the metropolitan area and the DSLSC has been overwhelmed by the support, with more than 700 competitors registered to take part over two massive days. The event will combine the WA Masters Championships, WA Country Championships and the Surf Life Saving Championships consisting of short course surf boats in a hectic weekend of competition at Ocean Beach. Denmark will have 57 members take part in the championships while Albany Surf Life Saving Club is also expected to have more than 60 competitors involved. Clubs from around WA will compete with 750 individual competitors entered. The State masters will have 305 participants, the country championships have attracted 322 and there will be 140 boaties in the water. Denmark hosted the 2019 Country Carnival with almost 1000 people attending, and DSLSC president Jane Kelsbie said their club was prepared for another major event. “We think people enjoyed the country carnival last year and want to come back,” Kelsbie said. “We weren’t sure how many numbers we would get because this is the first time being held outside the metro area but to have 750 individual competitors, some doing more than one championship, is amazing. “It is great for the town and we have people of all ages competing which is what it’s about. Last year Denmark had two masters go to Perth and we have 27 this year, and we are giving all sorts of events a go.” Nippers, youth and seniors are the three age categories for the country championships that will begin on Saturday afternoon and run right through until late Sunday. The masters championships will be run on Saturday and the boats will be in action on Sunday. “We are hoping for a fun weekend, a bit of swell for everyone,” Kelsbie said. “There is a huge amount of water safety that goes into this and everyone chips in to help, officiate or make sure it runs smoothly.”