On Sunday morning in the immediate area of Noosa’s Main Beach, some 2000 competitors gathered to contest the events listed on the program drawn up for the World Series Swim.
In what can only be described as perfect for this type of program, beautiful sunny day and flat surf, the event was a great success.
A two-day lead up saw beach competition area well organised, information sheets in place, and the temporary marker cans for the swim courses laid. This was done late Saturday.
Early Sunday morning, the temporary markers are removed and replaced by the swim buoys. Following this, the all- important briefing sessions were conducted and top of the list was, as always, water safety.
Under the guidance of the IRB officer Trevor King, all water safety patrol members were fully briefed, six IRB teams (one driver, one crew and a radio) and 23 board rescue patrol members. For events such as this, the board rescue is used as a holding platform. In the event of a swimmer in difficulty, they are held on the board and an IRB team immediately takes them on board.They are returned to the beach.
Because of the safe conditions, only three extractions were performed. This was the 10th year of the event and for all these, our lifesavers have performed their duties.
Regarding this, event manager, John Giuse said, “The local lifesavers have been with us every year and we cannot speak highly enough of their dedication and overall performance.”
Once again, this responsibility was in the hands of our local lifesavers from the Noosa, Coolum and Peregian clubs. These teams were backed up by the paramedics, and you could not ask for better safety group.
This will give a behind scenes look at exactly what was needed to provide, not only a well-run event, but above all, a safe one. And remember, there were 2000 swimmers registered.
The program consisted of five events: 5k, 3k,2k,1k and for the junior swimmers, the Young Giants, a 300m swim. The big event of the day was the 5km. This was won by Bailey Armstrong in a time 57.32 with Thomas Raymond second in 57.46, Kalian Carrel third. To say this was the race of the day would be an understatement. With the near completion of the 5km, the swimmers, with 100m to go, were swimming shoulder to shoulder and it was in only the short distance that Armstrong pulled ahead.
Both contestants are in the Australian team for the World Titles in Israel in March.
“However, the most popular event of the day,” said Giuse, “was the 2k swim with around 700 entrants, one of the biggest we have ever held.”
This was won by Damian Burke in a time of 17.04. And for the 300m Young Giants, Samantha Brown finished in a time of 7.09.
“It is also interesting to note that some 20 per cent of the entrants come from outside Queensland and this has been a fairly constant rate over the 10 years of the event.”
Once again, a big thank you to all involved: the World Series Swim workers, 20 staff plus 20 local volunteers and 35 surf club safety patrol members. Let’s not forget those 2000 registered competitors. All have contributed towards making this, the biggest swim event in Queensland.
Surf lifesaving
At last weekend’s Youth Queensland State Titles held at Mooloolaba Beach over a four-day period, Noosa Heads SLSC had their best overall results in several seasons.
Over 60 Noosa athletes competed from u/11 to u/15 age groups and coach Darren Mercer stated, “It was a good result with the team winning medals in every age group.”
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect was the fact that the medals were won across the board in all categories of beach events and water.
On the beach 2km runs and relays of 2x500m and 2x1km, saw Noosa finish with three silver and two bronze medals.
In the U15 surf board it was bronze, and for surf team’s silver: and U13 and U15 male board relays also bronze. For the U13 female board rescue, it was silver.
For the Noosa club the fact that they were contesting both team and individual events was indeed a good sign. Club spirit.
At the same titles, Sunshine Beach was also having an outstanding carnival. At the completion, the points tally revealed that their club finished 5th overall, an incredible result. A count of 22 medals overall (14 individual and 8 team medals) has made the club, “a very competitive squad.”
Coaching the athletes all in their youth, are husband and wife duo, Wes and Jade Berg (nee Sutcliffe): with Wes being a former Nutri Grain Ironman, and Jade a former professional Ironwoman. On Sunday, squad members were in nearly every final: and this resulted in a very successful state titles campaign.
Good to see both clubs were successful in water and beach events: also, individual and teams.
Amongst the team were several standouts: U11 Liam Wright who took a gold trifector winning the Ironman, Surf Race and Board. For Niamh Arthur it was another trifector: the young lady won the U14 female Ironwoman, Board Rescue and Surf Teams.
Other results saw Sunshine come home with awards for Water Events (2 silver 6 bronze), Beach Individual Events (3 gold), Beach Team Events (2 silver 1 bronze) and Water Teams (3 silver). These results in both individual and team events are indeed very comforting. It tells us the good news, that the basic old age virtue of a good lifesaver, is as a team man, or one who can also act alone in a moment of crisis.
To both our coaching panels, Sunshine and Noosa, well done and thank you for reviving those traditional, and basic old virtues – team work and individual.
Seahorse Nippers
This weekend will be the finish of another successful season of the Noosa Seahorse Nippers.
Under the guidance of founding senior Noosa Heads Surf Lifesaving Club members, Steve and Nichole Mawby, this club over its 11 years, has gone from strength to strength. A big thank you from Steve and Nichole to all who have been and are now still involved.
“Thank you to patrons Dawn Fraser and Jordy Mercer and our clubbies who work as helpers, those very important Bus Boys, Big Pete and the crew who, along with council support, make access to the beach and parking so much easier. Councillor Amelia Lorentson and the Tewantin Noosa Lions, those beach mats have been a god send. And most important the Water Safety Officers.”
There are now 45 registered participants from age 6 to 31. To all sponsors and parents well done, and thank you for being part of this great family.
Saturday will see a presentation of awards and President of Lions Ian McGlew, will do the honours.
Boxing
It is good news from the Cooroy Impact Boxing and Fitness Club. Bryce “The Hurricane” Hegarty, has chalked up another win. Boxing in the middleweight division he scored a 3rd round victory over Connor Napier, when the referee called a halt to the contest in the third round: awarding Hegarty his second KO victory in a row. The end came, when in front of a full house, Napier was caught with a massive right hand which left him unable to continue. Training under the guidance of Mark Evans of Impact Boxing and Fitness Club this win gives Hegarty three wins from three fights, with two KOs.
After leaving a successful amateur career, the Hurricane has developed a very determined attitude. His gym work, in particular his sparing sessions and road work is tops.
“We were very happy with Bryce’s performance on the night,” said Evans.
“We didn’t get the greatest preparation leading into this bout. A few niggly injuries, and some sparring partners who didn’t turn up to training. However, this did not affect Bryce, he got straight down to business and the night was his”
There is a big possibility that this win will set him up for his next step, which hopefully, will be a crack at the Queensland Super Middleweight title. To Hurricane, Coach Evans and team, good luck.
Rugby League
Next week Noosa Today will take a close in-depth look at the Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club: its structure, coaches, players, sponsors and just what makes this proud club tick.
