Despite no longer representing Noosa in the Women’s Nutri Grain series Lana Rogers, now competing for Northcliffe, has a big support group from the Noosa Life Members and Old Boys, celebrating and cheering her on, as she stepped up onto the podium to receive the winner’s trophy.
Winning this trophy for the third time was in Lana’s words, “Probably the sweetest of them all,” and she added, “My resurgence back to form is thanks to my move to the Gold Coast. It hasn’t sunk in just yet, I didn’t think that I could beat my 2023 Coolangatta Gold win, but this does it, and it’s very special.
I can’t believe I’ve done it. I had no pressure coming into this season, and I am just so happy I made the big move to the Gold Coast. I haven’t had the best series the last couple of years, and I have just been trying to make my way back to where I belong” Just a couple of years ago a renown swimming coach was heard to make the remark, ‘I think this young lady will make her way into the history books.’ Her recent successes, now make this a very big probability. From all us Golden Oldies of the Noosa club, well done young lady, well done.
The story of the shift to the Gold Coast was in fact a family matter. Following a remark from her sister Dahlas and mother Margaret, the story was bought to our attention. Speaking on behalf of family members Dahlas said, “Lana approached us with her plans on wanting to relocate to the Gold Coast to achieve her goals and aspirations. We supported her 100 per cent. At the end of the day, she had a goal and went after it! As a family, it has been inspiring to not only watch her achieve what she’s done, but see how genuinely happy she is as a person. She is such a motivated person and still hungry for so much more. We cannot wait to see what she continues to do.”
On being told of her decision to move, Noosa surf club coach Sharlene Kelly, who had coached Lana to wins in the Australian Iron Woman Championship and the big one, the Coolangatta Gold said, “She goes with our total support. She is a lovely young woman and we wish her and her family all the very best.”
During the television coverage of the series, it was very pleasing to hear the remarks being made by commentators. They were discussing the outstanding performance of relative new comer in the ladies Nutri Grain, Electra Outram of Sunshine Beach. Several times they were heard to remark, “Electra Outram was pushing her way through the pack (in the surf race). This is a young girl to watch and one with a good future ahead.’’ How right they were: for on the final day of the Women’s Nutri Grain Series she finished in 5th place overall.
Following this outstanding performance her next goals are already set. “I am now looking forward to the State and National titles to be held later in the year.” Regarding these, her performance at the recent Nutri Grain Series will definitely be a confidence builder: not only did she finish fifth place overall but she did it against the best Iron women in the country.
For this young lady her career in surf sports started as a nipper in the U6 age group of the Sunshine Beach Surf Club. Regarding her interest in the Iron Woman event, this started at home in front of the TV : watching the event at the major surf carnivals.
This became the big decider. For her, it was definitely going to be the Iron Woman. Despite her inexperience and youth, her determination was beginning to show. For several season she had switched clubs and joined Noosa : but when her sojourn didn’t bear fruit, she returned to Sunshine. Now, under Sunshine coach Wes Berg, and a happy club life, this determination is becoming a reality. Electra Outram is on the way!
Outriggers.
Last week’s outrigger racing was hosted by the Scarborough Outrigger Canoe Club and according to club spokesperson Colin Jones, ‘’We had many good results especially in the juniors. Coach Flea White was really excited with our teams.” Team Holly and Team Eva came first and second in the U12 mixed division of the 4km dash. Following this Adler and Oscar won the U16 OC2 4K race.
In the Senior Long Course 14k we had winners in the Golden Mixed Men’s Aggregate, Ultimate Aggregate, Senior Mixed Masters and Platinum Masters Aggregate. Team Hegarty took out Novice Women’s, and Team Marlo and Team Banstead came first and third in the Golden Masters.
These results are good to see: in particular the positive results from the young kids. There is nothing more encouraging than the young being in the top three of their events. Playing the game, is of the most importance but being in the top three certainly puts the icing on the cake: it also encourages them to keep competing. Also, the other big factor, they make new friends and have fun while doing so. To the parents who give their support and time keep up the good work.
Kayaking.
With the Olympics fast approaching the media will start giving more time to the lesser-known sports and rightly so. One that struggles for support and sponsorship is the sport of kayaking. But luckily for us in the Noosa community, we have at our beckoned call Sharlene Kelly, a retired former Australian kayak team member: one who toured Europe and in doing so, competed against the best that Europe had to offer.
In later years she became a member of the Noosa Heads Surf Club and in doing so, won the bronze medal paddling the single ski at the Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships. Be it kayaks or surf skis, paddling is definitely in her blood. Now a group of young kayak athletes under her coaching are part of the QAS (Queensland Academy of Sport) You For 2032 program.
The You For 2032 program, is a state wide talent search program to provide opportunities for athletes of the future, leading into the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. With this under way this weekend will see Sprint kayaking: Grand Prix 2- Olympic selection for the Australian team. From coach Sharlene’s squad she will have 5 Sunshine Coast athletes racing. This event will be held at the Sydney International Regatta centre in Penrith, and will run from Friday February 16th to Sunday 18th.
Athletes will race over 1000m,500m and 200 in K1 (single) K2 (double) and K4 (4 person). We won’t have any athletes from the Noosa area, head to Sydney for the GP2, but we will have five from Noosa Heads to Sydney, in three weeks- time, for the National Sprint Kayak Championships. Good luck to all.
Seahorse Nippers
Last Saturday morning approximately 90 lifesavers, including eight from Sunshine Beach and two members who drove down from Port Douglas assembled, on Main Beach for a full-on morning of surf sports for the children in need. Also, Lorna Machia drove from Byron Bay to assist with a final matching process on Friday and the launch of the program Saturday.
Also, around 90 family members and carers were in attendance. For the first time a program was run for a small group of over 18yrs participants, headed by James (Swampy) Marsh.
Next week we talk to the Port Douglas reps regarding their future dreams for similar programs. And we also catch up with our Noosa Little Athletics.
