Competitors from Tacking Point SLSC flew the flag for the Mid North Coast Branch when they competed at the 2017 NSW Surf Life Saving Open Championships in Blacksmiths Beach last weekend.

Finn Askew was the lone medallist from Tacking Point when he battled both strong winds and soft sand to take home silver in the U15 male 2KM Beach Run.



Fellow Tacking Point lifesavers Paul and Jessica Rayner joined forces in the Open Mixed First Aid Competition finishing just outside the medals, with Max Milligan also picking up a fourth place in the U17 Male Swim.



Although it was a small contingent of competitors from across the Mid North Coast and Lower North Coast who make the trek to Lake Macquarie there are encouraging signs for the future of Surf Sport within the region.



Port Macquarie, Tacking Point, and South West Rocks all won medals during the Age Championships and there were strong competitor numbers from local clubs at this year’s Country Championships as well.



Meanwhile, Forster's U15 Female Beach Relay team proved to be one of the fastest in NSW making the final on alongside bigger Sydney clubs.



NSW Surf Sports Manager Rob Pidgeon felt that despite a challenging start due to the conditions, the State Championships put an exclamation point on what has been another successful summer for the sport.



“I would like to congratulate everyone for what was an extremely successful Open Championships and can safely say that we were all treated to a wonderful few days of racing that while extremely competitive was always conducted in the right spirit.



“There’s a lot to like about the performance of our athletes and I think that next month’s Australian Championships is shaping up to be a big one for NSW competitors.” Mr Pidgeon said.



2017 Open Championship Club Point Score:



Newport SLSC 425

Manly LSC 343

Wanda SLSC 202

North Cronulla SLSC 174

Cronulla SLSC 144

Umina SLSC 128

Redhead SLSC 115

Avoca Beach SLSC 112

Freshwater SLSC 93

Elouera SLSC 89



The NSW Surf Life Saving Age Championships, proudly supported by Your local club returns to Blacksmiths Beach, Swansea in 2018 from Feb 24 – March 11 for another exciting year of competition.