A host of medals, some crazy conditions and, probably most importantly, plenty of smiles were on show at the 2025 NSW Age Surf Life Saving Championships, proudly presented by Your local club, as day two saw some familiar faces defend their crowns and some new names emerge as champions.
It was the final day of competition for our U9 and U10 competitors, with the majority of the U11-U14 program to play out over the weekend, where an overcast start to the day gave way to rain and loads of wind before the sun shone to close out the afternoon.
Despite the dreary start, Gerringong SLSC – just days after officially opening their new clubhouse on the South Coast – celebrated in style with a clean sweep of the U9 Male Board races. Archie Darragh was the individual gold medallist, and he teamed up with individual silver medallist, Lewie Payne and Harley Rackemann to win the Relay.
Interestingly, after taking out both gold medals in the U10 category yesterday, Cooks Hill SLSC was on the podium again in both U9 events – third in the Board Race through James Coleman and a close second in the Relay.
On the girls side of the draw, a breathtaking final leg from Warilla Barrack Point SLSC saw them run down North Bondi SLSC some 100m from the shore and finished strongly to win the U9 Female Board Relay.
Ava Ingram and Lucia Dillon, of Elouera SLSC and Manly LSC, respectively, were winners in the U9 Swim and Board races.
Over at Queenscliff, Sierra Jey Gore from Cudgen Headland SLSC pulled out the run of her life at the most important time. She had not placed first in either her quarter- or semi-final but was quickest when it mattered to win the U10 Female Sprint.
Swansea Belmont SLSC bagged another medal for the Hunter with gold in the U10 Female Beach Relay, while South Maroubra SLSC’s William Ammon, Ella Coleman, Lucas Salicath, and Alexandra Service were too fast in the U10 Mixed Relay.
Charlotte Pierce and Will Isedale of Cronulla SLSC and Stockton SLSC took out the U10 Beach Flags – Charlotte improving from fourth last year and Will defending the title he earned on the same beach last year.
In the distance runs, Nate Heffernan was a gold medallist for Helensburgh Stanwell Park SLSC in the U14 Male 2km, while Amy Roberts from Lennox Head Alstonville SLSC was the U13 Female 2km champion.
Joseva Ranatawake – a contender for the Championships’ best name – was the first U11 ocean medallist with his win in the Surf Race, and then doubled down with a win in the U11 Male Iron as well.
Emerson Hoo of North Bondi SLSC won her third straight Female Surf Race in the U11s – she’s never been beaten at State Champs in the event.
The Championships continues into the weekend where U14s will hit the water in Collaroy and our U12s will get their first taste of competition at Shelly Beach.
Friday 7 March 2025