Surf Lifesavers from across Northern NSW have closed the books on a successful campaign at the 2018 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships as they more than matched it with their rivals at Blacksmiths Beach.
After watching their younger counterparts last week, the Under15, 17,19 and Open athletes were keen to get their races underway during a big three-days of competition.
Cudgen Headland SLSC was the best performing Far North Coast club finishing inside the top 20 and with 6 medals to their credit. They were led by Olissa Onley who stormed home to win gold in the U15 2km Beach Run, and long-time friends and training partners Scott McCartney and Luke Chaffer who teamed up to win the Open Board Rescue.
Rory Matthews and Kai Onley finished in second spot in the U19 Board Rescue, and Joshua Jones took silver in the U17 Board.
Rounding off the medals for the reigning Country Champions was a bronze finish for the U17 Ski Relay team (Mette Klinkers, Paige Leishman, and Anthea Warne), and third place on the podium to the U17 Female Board Rescue duo of Anthea Warne and Hayley Smith.
Lennox Head-Alstonville walked away from the competition with two medals thanks to the efforts of rising start Nathan Mackenzie who ended his championship campaign with silver in the U15 Board Race and bronze in the Ironman.
There was more joy for the Far North Coast as Ballina added to the medal tally after Jack Graham-Jones claimed bronze in the U19 Male 2km Beach Run.
Not to be outshone by their nearest geographical rivals, competitors from the North Coast Branch also had a successful outing.
Coffs Harbour enjoyed some positive results on the sand with Nicholas Bulloch coming home in second place in the U15 Beach Run ahead of teammate Lachlan Marle who ended his race in sixth spot.
Lilli Smyth powered to third in the Open Female Division, while branch rivals Sawtell rounded off the medals for North Coast Clubs with a strong performance from Emily Meacham who took out the U15 Board Race.
Pleasingly for the club they had two representatives in the field as Meacham’s Sawtell teammate Alyssa Golding finished her race in fifth position.
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