Hosts of the 2019 NSW Envirobank Country Championships have used their hometown advantage to streak ahead in the pointscore after Day One at Kingscliff Beach.


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High temperatures and challenging water conditions were not enough to stop the Cudgen team steamrolling their way to wins in every race area and across all age divisions. Hundreds of points separated the hosts from nearest rivals Byron Bay with the south coast club Warilla-Barrack Point in third.



Some outstanding performances and the sheer number of competitors ensured Cudgen goes into the final day of the event with clear daylight between them and the other clubs.



The seasoned Country Champs campaigner and Cudgen Head Coach Scott McCartney led by example with individual and team wins across all water events. McCartney was first across the line in the Open Ski, Open Board and teamed up with Angus McPhail and Kai Onley to win the Open Ski Relay. He also doubled up in Masters categories to win gold in the 30-39 yrs Board and Ski races.



Kai Onley won the U19 Ironman and Ski events and Joseph Warne now holds the title of U17 Ironman.



At the other end of the age spectrum, Cudgen U8 competitor Jesse Black came first in the Wade at his very first Country Champs. In the U10s Lachlan Arghyros claimed gold in the Board race.



In the female divisions, Hayley Smith was first across the line in the U17 Surf Race and Open Female Board and Lily O’Sullivan was busy in the water winning the U15 Surf Race, Board and the Ironwoman.



Anthea Warne won the double in the U19 and Open Ironwoman races, U19 Ski and Board and teamed up with Paige Leishman and Elise O’Callaghan to win the Open Ski Relay. She and Elise then joined Chloe Jones to claim the U19 Ski Relay title.



In the younger age groups Cudgen caps were everywhere with wins recorded by Kalani Ives, Alexis Barnett, Kaimana Lowien-Britt, Charli Mills, Sienna Lee and Jarrah Onley.



Local competitors were even racking up points in the Board Riding, including Warren Boyd in Open Male and Sophie Boyd winning both U19 and Open Female Board Riding events.



Surf Sport Manager Rob Pidgeon said Cudgen Headland SLSC had done an amazing job, both in competition and hosting the enormous event.



“It’s been a long day and the club’s work party of volunteers has done a fantastic job to keep things running smoothly. All the officials and the water safety volunteers have done a great job too. We couldn’t stage an event like this without them,” he said.



Competition continues Sunday with teams events in the water and on the beach, including the premier Open Taplin event and All Age Beach Relays.



Top Ten after Day 1




  1. Cudgen Headland SLSC 658

  2. Byron Bay SLSC 413

  3. Warilla Barrack Point SLSC 298

  4. Lennox Head - Alstonville SLSC 217

  5. Port Macquarie SLSC 187

  6. Sawtell SLSC 178

  7. Tacking Point SLSC 163

  8. Yamba SLSC 141

  9. Brunswick SLSC 90

  10. Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore SLSC 89


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