By DEAN SMALLMAN
LAST Sunday the very best of the Sunshine Coast’s surf club competitors went head to head at Alexandra Headlands in the first of the selection events that will decide the make-up of the branch team that will represent the Sunshine Coast at this season’s branch titles. With conditions absolutely perfect with a light offshore breeze and a 2ft swell, the day promised to be an exciting one for all.
The day began with beach events which saw in the U15s Tom Baker grab a hard-earned 2nd place and Katie Gleeson a 3rd.
When the water events got underway just before noon, Sunshine really stepped up and proved why it was the number 1 aggregate club on the coast last season.
In the U13s, Tiffany McKay grabbed a great 3rd in the swim and in the hotly contested U14s, Max Moore had a great day with a 1st in the board and a 2nd in the Iron, while Ruby Nolan came away with a 2nd in the swim and a 3rd in the Iron. In the U15s, Jonty Redwood worked hard for a 3rd in the Iron and a 3rd in the swim with Olivia Emmanuel also grabbing 3rd in the girls Iron and girls board.
With U17s having to undertake two separate Iron events across the day, Sunshine Beach man mountain Zack Barwicki stepped up and grabbed a 3rd in the Iron and a 3rd in the super fast swim.
The attention now shifts to rainbow beach for the two-day carnival that brings together Nippers from U8s to U15s and for the bigger kids the Coolangatta Gold.
With the season kicking off with Nippers just two weeks ago, the training has also stepped up. Max Pettigrove has tailored a fantastic programme with key coaching staff that includes Hall of Fame Legend Clint Robinson and the highly respected Alex Austin. With a mix of Open Beach, River and Noosa West sessions available to all members, the foundations for another great year have once again been laid.
This coming Sunday with help of Steve Tindal at Bakers Delight in Noosa Junction, the club will be holding its annual family fun day. This is a great day that sees all Nippers come together in a “tough Mudder” type event followed by a family barbecue. If you are still keen to get involved with this great summer sport, it’s not too late, simply contact the club, jump online or simply come to the family fun day and see what all the hype is about.
