It was a successful foray for a small but committed team of young surf lifesavers from across Southern NSW who journeyed to the 2018 NSW Age Surf Life Saving Championships at Blacksmiths Beach, Swansea Belmont last weekend.
At the end of the three-day-competition held in the picturesque Lake Macquarie beach the group had collected eight medals with Warilla-Barrack Point finishing 19th overall, and Batemans Bay (38th) leading the way for the Far South Coast.
For Warilla, the rise of Storm Balmain continued with the youngster impressing all on his way to gold medals in the U10 Board Race (defending his 2017 title) and Board Relay to complement his silver in the Surf Race.
“It was very hard, when I was going around the buoy I saw them all behind me chasing me, it was so scary in my head I was saying I have to win again,” a tired but delighted Storm said after his race.
Other medallists from the South Coast powerhouse include Montana Doubell who finished second in the U11 Female 1km Beach Run, and the U10 Board Relay team of Storm Balmain, Ashton Moran and Lucas Krstevski who combined to power home to silver in the popular event.
Emma Trudgett (U10 Beach Flags) was the lone medallist from her club Kiama Downs when she took home a bronze medal. Club mates Ivy (U11 Ironwoman) and Max Miller (U9 Board Race) were both finalists in their respective events giving them confidence as they look towards next season.
Mollymook SLSC were able to stand on the podium thanks to the efforts of Stirling Norwood who took bronze in a highly competitive U13 Beach Sprint Final.
After a strong Country Championships campaign last month, Jackson Blake (Batemans Bay) continued his solid form to claim the lone medal for both his club and branch when he finished third in the U13 Surf Race.
NSW Surf Sports Manager Rob Pidgeon felt that it was a highly successful competition for the young athletes.
“I would like to congratulate everyone for what was an extremely successful State Age Championships.
“Some of our older Nipper competitors will now go on to get their first taste of national level racing at next month’s Australian Championships while our younger ones can look forward to an exciting finish with their club season,” Mr Pidgeon said.
2018 Age Championship Club Point Score
- Elouera SLSC - 179
- Newport SLSC - 174
- Cooks Hill SLSC - 172
- Cronulla SLSC- 165
- Manly LSC - 165
- Wanda SLSC - 160
- North Curl Curl SLSC -159
- Coogee SLSC - 149
- North Bondi SLSC - 140
- Swansea Belmont SLSC - 132
Wednesday 7 March 2018