The competitive future of NSW in surf sports is bright after the state’s select U14 and U15 athletes helped carry the blue caps to victory in the inaugural Pathways Interstate Championships at North Kirra.
Held on Tuesday 1 April off the back of the Australian Youth Championships, with many athletes carrying their form over from the Aussies titles, NSW overall point score victory went right down to the wire with the final events of the day – the Beach Flags.
Three podiums from four chances on the sand, including a huge win for Joshua Clark from Manly LSC in the U14 Male Flags, confirmed a seven-point victory for NSW over Queensland.
“It feels so good to come out with the win,” Josh said post-race.
“It was a tough Aussies for me, getting silver in a close fight [in the Australian U14 Male Flags], so I was very happy to get the win today and to do my part to help New South Wales.
“This is my first time having the privilege of being part of the team and I loved it.”
Among the other NSW winners on the day were Rory Muldowney and Thomas Giles in the U14 and U15 Male Beach Sprints early in the day, NSW and Australian U15 Board Champion, Henry Whitehead in the Board Race, and the team of Muldowney, Giles, Marli Mayne and Kiah Evans in the Mixed Beach Relay.
NSW Coach, Hannah Minogue was ecstatic to take out the first Pathways Interstate Championships.
“The kids were really excited to be racing today,” she said.
“The weather during the Aussies Youth Champs meant they didn’t get to race as much. So to be able to get out there today just enjoy it, they were ecstatic.
“Its new having the [Pathways] Interstates as part of the Aussies, but any opportunity for these kids to put on the sky blue and represent your State is a real honour.
“We know Queensland is always going to be tough and that makes for really exciting racing. It all came down to the Beach Flags so it was great to see all the kids get around our beachies… it’s always nice to get a win.”
Wednesday 2 April 2025