The 2025 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships, proudly presented by Your local club has kicked back off at Queenscliff, with Masters athletes from across the state contesting a full program of events in beautiful conditions.
After a two-day break following the finale of the Age Championships, athletes 30 years and older descended on Sydney’s Northern Beaches for what would end up being the first day of water competition at the host beach.
Paul Lemmon from Terrigal SLSC kicked off the carnival in a showcase of how the more things change, the more they stay the same. His win in the 55-59 Single Ski added another gold medal to what would be a pool room that glistens in the sun at this point.
Bondi SBLSC’s Jo Delmodes was the Female 40-44 Single Ski champion ahead of Carlee McKay from Shelly Beach SLSC and Sarah Lally from North Steyne SLSC, and Ben Kirkby from Freshwater SLSC topped an elite podium, including two Terrigal SLSC boys, in the 30-34 Male Ski.
Moving through to the Board race, Leeanne Longford won gold for The Lakes SLSC in the 50-54 Female, while David O’Grady from Avoca Beach SLSC earned another Central Coast gold medal in the 60-64 Male category.
Tim Gates bagged gold for his club, Palm Beach SLSC in the 65-69 Male Swim, Stephanie Carey from Shelly Beach pipped Manly LSC’s Rachel Crerar to the 30-34 Female Swim gold, and Ethan Whiteman from Cooks Hill SLSC wasn’t fazed by the benign surf conditions, powering to gold in the 35-39 Male Swim.
Thirroul SLSC’s Stephen Gibbeson was fastest to the cans in the 60-64 Male Rescue Tube race, and Brooke Miller from Collaroy SLSC won the 35-39 Female category.
On the track, Richelle Ingram from Umina SLSC won the Female 50-54 Beach Flags, and Adrian Washington from Copacabana SLSC was the champion of the Male 45-49 category in the same event.
Julie Dawson of Toowoon Bay SLSC and clubmate, Wendy McNamara duked it out in the 75+ Female Beach Sprint, with Julie emerging victorious to rapturous applause, while Adam Gee from Warriewood SLSC was the quickest in the Male 50-54 Sprint.
In the Relays, Coogee SLSC’s Helen Deas, Nicola Logan, Rebecca Waugh, and Linda Walsh won the 200 year minimum Female category, while home club, Queenscliff’s team of Michael Gedz, Brian Dolly, Simon Dorahy, and Stephen Hoy were winners in the 230 year minimum Male Beach Relay.
Competition continues tomorrow with team events to close out the Championships, before Open and Surf Boat athletes hit the sand and surf on Friday.
Wednesday 12 March 2025