Mandurah surf life saver picked for WA state side

Andersen was hand-picked for the Western Suns side after a stunning performance at the state championships, where she picked up one gold, one silver and three bronze medals.

Now, she will look to replicate the feat when she hits the pool at the South Australia Aquatic and Leisure Centre in just under three weeks’ time.

The 15-year-old admitted to owning some nerves prior to the trip, but said she would simply look to put her best foot forward and do Mandurah proud.

“It’s a higher level than anything I’ve ever competed at so I’m pretty nervous,” she said.

“But just to be picked was a really exciting moment. Everyone in the team knows they were really good at states so we just need to go out there and put in similar performances.”

Andersen heads into the national competition following a stunning season.

She became the Mandurah Surf Life Saving Club’s first ever state champion when she picked up a gold medal in Scarborough this March, and her form translated to indoors for the state pool champs just a few weeks ago.

The young star plies her trade with the local club based in San Remo, where her father Clay coaches and helps her train 16 hours a week.

Andersen takes the heavy workload in her stride.

“[The training] is just something you have to do to make sure you keep competing at the highest level you can,” she said.

“I’ve always loved swimming but surf life saving shows you all the different techniques you need to use and it kind of adds different elements to it.”

Andersen will fly out to South Australia early next month, with competitions beginning on Friday, August 4.

The Mandurah Surf Life Saving Club is currently taking expressions of interest for their upcoming season.

If you or your child are interested in joining the club call surf sports coach Clay Anderson on 0423 972 724.