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Sport by title and sport by nature.
Such is the case for the former sports minister, senator and current Athletics Australia president and Australian Olympic Committee executive Mark Arbib.
The Bronte club member struck gold on debut at the NSW Surf Life Saving Masters Championships at Blacksmiths Beach on Wednesday after winning the male 45-49-years two kilometre beach run.
Arbib, a surf lifesaver at the famed Sydney beach who started nippers at North Bondi, followed on from his daughter taking out the under-11 female 1km beach run at the weekend’s junior competition which was also hosted by Swansea Belmont.
“This is a fantastic event and it’s great to see that like athletics, you can be involved for life – from nippers, to patrolling the beach and competing,” he said.
Arbib, sports minister between September 2010 and March 2012, said he enjoys the feel at his local club Bronte.
“It’s a good family club and everyone looks out for each other,” he said.
And the one-time federal Labor politician hasn’t ruled out combining his two main sporting interests.
“I’d like to see Surf Life Saving and Athletics organisations work more closely together,” Arbib said.
Day two of the masters went ahead on Thursday after dangerous surf conditions forced changes to the schedule on Wednesday.
The opens carnival is due to start on Friday.
