Fastest man on the sand – Local lifesaver to compete at nationals

EVANDAH Bann is fast on land, but you should see him on the sand; the young Forrest Beach lifesaver will be running for his state today at the 2024 Australian Interstate Surf Life Saving Championships at Maroubra in NSW as part of the Queensland Cyclones team.

Bann is the only competitor outside of the south-east to make the Queensland team after his strong performance at the Interbranch Championships on the Gold Coast last year, when he proved he was the fastest man on the sand winning both the under 17 beach flags and sprints.

The 16-year-old who was born and raised in Townsville has made waves in the surf sport scene since joining lifesaving in 2022 and gaining his bronze medal in March 2023, surprising everyone with his speed on the sand.

The year 11 student at St Teresa’s Abergowrie College in Ingham said he is looking forward to competing for his state at a national event for the first time.

“Making the Queensland Cyclones Team was definitely a big achievement for me and I feel very proud and lucky to be in this position that I’m in now.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people as well as putting my best foot forward and competing to the best of my ability,” he said.

***“Heads down, go!” Bann will compete in the U17 beach flags, sprints and relay events at the national championships.***

The Australian Interstate Championships sees the best of the best from states and territories across Australia battle it out and showcase their lifesaving skills in both water and beach events in one of the most elite lifesaving sports competitions on the calendar.

Bann has certainly made an impact in his short time in the sport, already accumulating a haul of medals and competing at a regional, state and now national level.

“When I first competed at Magnetic Island (Arcadian carnival) I thought about how my inexperience to surf lifesaving would affect me on the beach, but the more I competed the more I loved it.

“Achieving first in the flags and sprints at state interbranch, it really had been feeling happy and confident.

“Also having very strong opponents really did make me push myself even more,” he said.

Running is not new to the humble First Nations athlete who is also the fastest 16-year-old in North Queensland in the 100m and 200m sprints in track and field, making the Northern school team for the state championships in Brisbane last year.

***Bann with fellow Forrest Beach lifesaver, Mariam Hall representing North Queensland at the Queensland Schools State Track and Field Championships in Brisbane last year.***

Club Director of Surf Sports, Helen Stanton said Evandah is a “valued member of the Forrest Beach surf club.”

“Evandah is part of a strong contingent of 15 to17-year-old beach competitors from our club who recently turned heads on the beach at the North Australian Championships. Evandah performed well placing second in the under 17 flags and sprints.

“He excels at flags and sprints with a blinding turn of speed and shows exemplary team spirit and support of his mates.”
Helen Stanton

“We as a club are proud of his hard work and determination to get this far in his short time in lifesaving and to be the only team member outside of the south-east clubs is truly a remarkable achievement,” Ms Stanton said.

***Fun competition: Bann competing against teammate, Steven Dau in the open beach flags at the Arcadian Surf Carnival.***

For Bann, this opportunity will pave the way for his future in the sport as he looks towards 2024 state, national and world championships which are being held on the Gold Coast in August.

“I hope to continue lifesaving into the future – it really does give me an opportunity to embrace myself on the beach and show my true talent in sprinting. I will definitely keep striving to do better for myself.
Evandah Bann

“I really enjoy surf lifesaving because it gives me a big opportunity to meet new people and learn a lot more things like doing beach patrols which puts me in a role of having a big responsibility of taking care of the beach, my peers and many more. Overall, surf lifesaving has definitely been worth the try for me,” he said.

Bann (second left) with his bronze squad and school mates from St Teresa’s Abergowrie College on their first beach patrol with Director of Lifesaving and trainer, Lenny Chiesa (left) and Director of Surf Sports, Helen Stanton (right).

Bann hopes to pursue lifesaving into the future to give back to his club and community, particularly in mentoring and coaching.

“I would like to help my club and if I ever have enough experience and knowledge about being a ‘beachie’, I could possibly pass it down to younger fellas that are coming up.

“Being a First Nations lifesaver truly does make me feel like I’m doing good for my community and putting my culture out there through surf lifesaving and many other sports.”