Sunshine nippers
Head Coach of the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Clubs sports squad, Wes Berg, is indeed a very happy man.
“Our pre- season training sessions have continued to grow: as a result, we now have close to 90 competitors on our books. The Sunshine community is growing and the support from the club and the families around it, is creating a special environment in which the kids keep developing.’’
Recently Sunshine took its biggest team ever, a total of 33 kids to contest the Kozzie Iron Challenge which was held at Mooloolaba. The three-iron accumulation format, which is basically a points tally system for different legs of the Iron Man, saw outstanding results for Sunshine with a place in every age group: this confirms that the club is in form and ready for a big competition season ahead. Both Head Coach Wes Berg and Nipper Coach Jade Berg, are ecstatic with the results being achieved so early in the season.
They are excited to build on the incredible form and results the squad achieved last season: but more importantly, ‘’that the synergy of the squad and the club is positive and progressive.”
The results from the Cozzie Iron Challenge were: U15s Niamh Arthur and Luke Lewis both gold, U14 Zach Heffernan silver, U13 Tallow Crouch bronze, U12 Liam Wright gold, U11 Billie Berg gold and Dylan White bronze, and Nellie Heffernan bronze. This resulted in a total count of 4 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze. Early season, a great result overall. Well done to all.
Next carnival is one of the season’s favourites, Rainbow Beach. This is a full weekend away for all our Sunshine families. This gives them the opportunity to catch up, socialise and enjoy watching the kids enjoy the ocean and the beach. Good weather and good luck.
Surf boat competition
More good news from the surf boat fraternity of the Noosa club. A former member Dave Tomba who made an outstanding contribution to not only our boat section as a coach and sweep, but also as a highly regarded Patrol Captain on Noosa’s Main Beach, has returned to the fold. For Dave the boats are a family affair as both his wife and a daughter (has two but as yet one is still too young to row) are both experienced rowers.
Not only does having the Tomba family back strengthen the boating, but also makes a big contribution to our beach safety as all are patrolling members. With regard to the crews for racing the formation and team structure will be in the hands of the various sweeps, Mick Gardner, Stuart Cooper and Dave Toma and overall management will be conducted by Adam Hammersley, Boat Captain: at this moment the first carnival will be mid- November.
Training programs are under way with Mick Gardner training junior and men’s U19,Stuart Cooper men and women’s u/19 and Dave Tomba U19 women and U23 mens.
With the crews now on hand, the age groups are under the various sweeps.
Outriggers
Last weekend saw the Trans-Tasman Gubbi Gubbi Waka Ama Outrigging Competition held at Mooloolaba spit. This event has come a long way since the early days when it was known as the Gubbi Gubbi east coast junior championships. These events were started as a means of developing young talent and teaching them how to row and compete: and this was in the early 2000s.
At the start it was noted how the other countries incorporated their culture into outrigging and thought how great it would be to do the same in Australia. So, the Noosa club approached the local Gubbi Gubbi people, to see if it was possible to incorporate their names and culture into the competition. They were happy about this and performed at the club’s presentation.
“This year competitors came from all over Australia and the Pacific Islands to participate. Happy to relate, Noosa sent a strong team and came home with quite a few medals. Our Noosa competitors teamed up with kids from Redcliffe, Mooloolaba, Gold Coast, Bayside and Coffs Coast, to make sure every kid in our zone had a seat and could race,” said club spokesperson Colin Jones
Competition results were good and the team results were: Sprints,V12- Mighty Minnows Mixed and Mighty Minnows Boys (8-12 yrs.)both 3rds, V12- U/14 Mixed 2nd OC1- U12 boys second. In the Marathons, Minnows Mixed and Minnows Boys 3rd. and Mighty Minnows third.
‘’There was a great showing of sportsmanship from young Oscar of the Noosa club. His opponent in the OC 1 race Epi, was leading but capsized his boat. Seeing how upset he was, Oscar gave him a Noosa cap. This is the spirit that we like to see in our young paddlers.
The club racing season is about to start and we would love to see more kids joining the ranks.”
Our Seahorse Nippers
The bus came into the carpark and stopped.
The doors opened and out he came. Straight at me like Attila the Hun! With his small hand raised, and his little legs pumping he yelled at me in no uncertain terms, “Give me five, give me five.” “Now,” he added, “Who is going to be my lifeguard for the day?” At five years of age this little Seahorse Nipper definitely had my attention.
This bit of fun with my small newfound friend, really made my day: for it told me that the Noosa Seahorse Nippers were once again on the sand: for yet another season of helping those in need. It was Noosa at its best, bright, sunny and safe: and that age-old sincere motto of yesterday’s Australian Surf Life Savers, Vigilance and Service, was underway. Being ever vigilant and offering service to those in need.
The day saw a total of 33 little Seahorse Nippers put through their water skills and beach events. This was all under the supervision of 60 volunteer helpers : parents and most important of all, qualified lifesavers. Despite Noosa being the host club, there were clubbies from Peregian, Dicky Beach and our mates from over the hill at Sunshine Beach.
The visit from Dicky Beach clubbies was a gesture of thanks. Last April, the Noosa Seahorse team led by Seahorse foundation members Steve and Nikki Mawby, visited Dicky Beach and helped them get started with the same program for their club. And from Sunshine Beach, two of their helpers were Directors from within their club. Well done, Sunshine. Helping the children in need from the bus was Big Pete Williams and driving was his mate, Ken Edwards. For Big Pete it was his 11th year. Both men agreed, ‘’We loved every minute to see the kids laughing and having a joke with us was fantastic. Also, it lets people see what their lifesavers do apart from patrolling the beaches.”
Once again, a big thank you to our local Noosa Council for their assistance regarding parking: and also, in our memories, always remember Tewantin/Noosa Lions and others for their involvement in the beach mats project.
