Surf Lifesavers from across the South Coast are reflecting on a successful performance at the 2018 Envirobank Country Surf Life Saving Championships, which were held at South West Rocks last weekend.
Two clubs, Warilla-Barrack Point (4th) and Mollymook (6th) finished inside the coveted top 10 in the overall standings – a huge achievement for their athletes looking to make a splash at next month’s State Championships.
Other South Coast clubs including Kiama Downs (13th), Nowra-Culburra (15th), Shellharbour (21st), and Kiama (26th) also had successful weekends.
It was in the water where Warilla Barrack-Point enjoyed its greatest success. Jordan White continued her dominant start to summer claiming five gold medals in the Open Board, Board Rescue, Ironwoman, Single Ski, and Surf Race events while the mixed surf teams also combined well to win five gold medals.
Mollymook’s reputation as the new beach event powerhouse continues to grow with their athletes returning home with 22 individual gold medals as well as victories in several of the relay events, assisted by coaches Daniel Robberds and Steine Lofts.
Some of their best results included Brock Scrivener who claimed five gold medals across the U19 and Open Beach events, Sam Zustovich who took victory in U17 Beach Flags, Beach Sprint, U17 Beach Relay and Open Flag events, and Kate Lewis who won the U19 Beach Sprint/Flag double, Open Flags, and was a member of the Open Beach Relay gold medal winning team.
Kiama Downs SLSC’s Miller Siasat won two gold medals taking out the U9 Beach Sprint/Flag double as well as earning silver in the Mixed Beach Relay team, Mischa Boniface finished with three medals including gold in the U12 Beach Sprint, with Drew Cairncross (30-39 Surf Race) and Lee Singleton (40-49 Beach Flags) also getting the chance to stand on top of the podium.
Alexa Farland was the lone gold medallist for Kiama taking gold in the U13s Female Beach Sprint, as was Lachlan Cabor for Shellharbour after he took gold in the U13 Flags. Cabor also finished with two silver medals in the Beach Run and Ironman events for his age group, while clubmates Kai Richards and Adel Ryall also picked up silver at the championships.
Chad Poland (Nowra-Culburra) will need to expand his trophy cabinet after picking up seven medals (2 gold, 4 silvers, 1 bronze) during his weekend’s work across the 30-39 age group and open events.
There were a number of other fine performances by Nowra competitors with Caleb Cook (U13 1km Run), Anna Hill (U13 Board Riding), and Peter Hill (Open Male Board Riding, 60-69 Long Board Riding) all finishing among the gold medal winners.
From the experienced competitors to the youngest, Fergus Coughlan (Nowra-Culburra) would certainly have enjoyed his first ever appearance at a Country Championship taking home gold in the U8 Beach Flag event and then proving his speed across the sand by winning the sprint as well.
NSW Surf Sports Manager Rob Pidgeon said it was an excellent weekend of competition.
The 2018 Envirobank NSW Country Championships were held at South West Rocks from 3-4 February. Action will return in February 2019 when the event moves to Kingscliff on the state’s Far North Coast.
Top 10 Overall Standings
Cudgen Headland SLSS (1048 points)
Sawtell SLSC (619)
Byron Bay SLSC (494)
Warilla Barrack Point SLSC (349)
Lennox Head - Alstonville SLSC (348)
Mollymook SLSC (299)
Port Macquarie SLSC (263)
Yamba SLSC (209)
Coffs Harbour SLSC (186)
Tacking Point SLSC (185)
Friday 9 February 2018