Surf Lifesavers from across Sydney have signed off on an extremely successful NSW Championship at Blacksmiths Beach last weekend returning from Lake Macquarie with an incredible haul of 168 medals.


Six clubs from Sydney Branch finished inside the coveted top 10 in the overall point-score with Wanda SLSC being the best of these claiming third spot on the podium.



Additionally 10 clubs produced medallists, which underscores the depth and talent of the sport locally and gives the area’s athletes a confidence boost heading into the Australian Championships later next month.



Wanda performed strongly in the team events which aided their surge up the table with wins in the U15 Male Surf Teams, Open Male Beach Relay, U17 Female Board Rescue and Board Relays, and Open Mixed 5 Person Rescue and Resuscitation.



They were supported strongly by fantastic individual runs by Ali Najeem who was back to his best to claim gold in the Open Beach Run and Kai Hammond who took out the U15 division.



Just eight points separated rivals Cronulla, North Cronulla and North Bondi in the overall standings, and not much could separate their athletes either with a number of sensational performances.



North Bondi’s Lizzie Welborn was in good form taking out the U19 Ironwoman and Board Race before adding further gold in the Open Double Ski, and U19 Ski Relay for good measure.



Other club winners included Jackson Collins (U19 Ski), Jonathon Schacht (U19 Beach Run), Noah Harvard (U17 Ski), Charlie Verco (U17 Beach Run), and the U15 Female Board Relay and Cameron Relay teams among a host of other strong results.



North Cronulla finished fifth overall and tasted ultimate success in a number of team events while Alexandra Rampoldi (U19 and Open Beach Flags), Emily Maythers (U17 Ski), and Lucy Flanagan (U15 Beach Sprint) all finishing as winners.



In a campaign that produced 25 medals and was good enough to secure sixth spot on the table, Cronulla enjoyed many memorable moments on the sand.



Chloe Mannix-Power confirmed her status as one of the most dynamic sprinters on the circuit claiming gold in both the U17 and Open Female Sprint, while the golds kept flowing as the U15, 17, 19 and Open Female Beach Relay teams all won their respective races.



Adding to the gold haul for Cronulla was wins to Lachlan Vitnell (U19) and Callum Redrup (U17) who performed strongly to take out the Surf Belt event.



Bate Bay rivals Elouera SLSC finished in ninth position with 19 medals won over the course of the competition. Leading the way for the proud club was the Open Female Surf Boat Team who finished with the gold medal, as did the U15 Male Beach Relay Team, and the U19 Rescue Tube Rescue team.



Capping off their performance was gold medals to Christopher King (U19 Board Race) who also took bronze in the Ironman, and Michael Hanna who raced home to take out the U19 Beach Sprint before doubling up to also take out the Open Division.



Rounding out the medals for Sydney clubs were Coogee who took home 19 medals, Bondi Surf Bathers (7), Bronte (3), and Clovelly and South Maroubra who finished with one apiece.



NSW Surf Sports Manager Rob Pidgeon said it was a highly successful competition contested at Swansea Belmont for 2018.



“I would like to congratulate everyone for their efforts over the last three weekends of competition. We’ve seen some extremely close and exciting finishes and the weather and conditions have allowed us to showcase the very best of surf sports in NSW,” said Mr Pidgeon.



“The volunteer team from Swansea Belmont have hosted another fantastic event, with great support from Lake Macquarie City Council,” said Rob Pidgeon.



2018 Open Championship Club Point Score




  • Newport SLSC (553)

  • Manly LSC (247)

  • Wanda SLSC (221)

  • North Bondi SLSC (204)

  • North Cronulla SLSC (198)

  • Cronulla SLSC (196)

  • Umina SLSC (144)

  • Redhead SLSC (144)

  • Elouera SLSC (134)

  • Coogee SLSC (118)



      The NSW Surf Life Saving Championships, proudly supported by Your local club will return to Blacksmiths Beach in 2019 for another exciting edition of the state’s largest surf sport event.



Thursday 15 March 2018