In what can only be described as their best performance ever at an Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, both Sunshine Beach and Noosa Heads have come home with their best medal count ever.
However, what is most pleasing is the fact that the medals were achieved from all disciplines.
For several years our clubs have been knocking on the door to greater things. This year it has become a reality. With the doors opened wide, our athletes poured through – adding to the reality, won medals along the way. Today we look at overall performances, coachers opinions, carnival in general, and what lays ahead.
This year, both clubs finished with a medal count of approximately 16 across multiple disciplines.
Sunshine’s Head Coach Wes Berg (former Nutri Grain Iron man) said, ‘’It was an Aussies to remember. This carnival is the premier event of the calendar season. The kids worked hard, and our results reflected this, but it was the bond, cohesiveness and the Sunshine spirit that I was most proud of.”
In her remarks Surf Sports Director Brigid Duncanson was very supportive when she said, “This season has been great and for us there were many highlights with several outstanding individual performances: in particular the Iron Woman, Taplin Relay and the Belt Races.’’
Noosa club Surf Sport Director Peter Borain, was in similar mind when he said, ‘’ We worked hard this year to get our athletes ready for the Aussies and our coaching teams were outstanding.” From ski coach Sharlene Kelly, ‘’Great results across many disciplines and this looks good for the future of surf sports in Noosa.”
For Sunshine there was Electra Outram’s maiden Iron Woman series race win, and the clubs first Open Mixed Taplin Medal. But most pleasing was Sunshine bringing home four medals in the belt race events.
Noosa’s outstanding achievements came in the 2km Ocean Swim. Finella Gibbs Beals and Nolan Carell winning their Opens and Neela Carell U15 third. This was followed by Will O’Connor U19, and Finella Gibbs Beal Open: both making the finals in their Surf Race division.
For Noosa to be finally winning medals in the swim events is a massive step forward. Another big plus was the ongoing performance of the U19 female boat crew. Known as the Birdz, they made the final: after just 6 weeks training plus a first-time rower in the crew. This was then followed by an impressive Aussie campaign across the Youth, Opens and Masters.”
Amongst the other standout performances were the following. Miller- May Berg, Zach Heffernan, Niam Arthur, all earning a gold medal and Claire Cameron, who achieved two. Ava Gooderham, Liam Wright, Ashlee Cameron, Dylan Wilson, Gemma Welch-Smith, also impressed with individual medals.
In open team events Sunshine was outstanding: bringing home minor places with Gemma Welch Smith, Electra Outram, Dylan Wilson, Freya Wilson and Darcy Lewis. The U17 cohort shining bright, showing the depth that is to come. “Our small but mighty Masters team finished with four medals, thus solidifying a wonderful campaign for the club.”
In years past, the belt race was without a doubt a major blue-ribbon event. There was a saying amongst the oldies that “good belt swimmers are not made they are born.” It was not uncommon to see an open surf swimming champion beaten in a belt -race by a clubbie of lesser ability, than the open champion.
This brings back a very proud tradition. When trendies start removing things that are traditional, it is a step in the wrong direction. The question then asked is ‘where will it stop.’? To the coaching panel, support group and families of Sunshine, we say a very big and sincere- Congratulations!
In his closing remarks Head Coach Wes Berg said, “Our overall performance marks a milestone for the club- showcasing their growing surf sports cohort, and the club’s strong trajectory in the highly competitive world of surf lifesaving.”
With a finished rating of ninth place overall, it shows that Noosa’s new surf sports structure is moving in the right direction.
Director Peter Borain, “Noosa certainly made waves at the Aussies. After cancellation of the State Championships, (due to the weather and surf conditions), our athletes were hungry to race – and they showed up in full force. Backed up by the dedication and hard work of head discipline coaches Mike Janes, Sharlene Kelly, Todd (Swanny) Swan, Lara Porter, Lenore Grice, Kirra Molnar, and Stuart Cooper our team put in a phenomenal performance that landed Noosa ninth overall.’’
The appointment of Head Discipline Coaches for each division has been a major factor in the club’s success. The Masters team had a standout campaign finishing third overall with a massive haul of 30 medals,10 gold, seven silver and 13 bronze: and led by incredible female competitors. Most prominent amongst the ladies, was Alison Pegg finishing with a medal count of four gold, one silver and five bronze.
From director Peter Borain comes his final assessment. “From sand to surf, board to boats, this was a proud moment for our club. Every athlete gave it their all and the results speak volumes.’’
Sharlene Kelly long time member and highly successful ski coach (the lady who took Lana Rogers to her first Coolangatta Gold win, thus earning her, among the old boys, the nickname of Super Coach) had this to say. “There were great results across many disciplines: things are now looking good for the future of surf sports in Noosa.”
Kelly also placed emphases on the remark, ‘from surf to sand.’ “Years ago, Noosa’s only strength lay in the beach events. Now success is finally coming both in and on the water. With athletes such as Rory McIntyre, Charley Harmer board rescue, Lachy Caple single ski and again Rory McIntyre men’s board race, all U17s and medal winners, things are really looking good.’’
Add to this, a swim team for the future. In the Champion Lifesaver Kiani Barlow (U 17) Bronze: in Mixed Relay, Pipi Barlow, Bridie Lehmann, Uli Visser and Haden Dewberry also U 17 Bronze.
Surfing, saw Kirra Molnar win Open F Shortboard and Longboard Gold, and Jack Lewis Open M Longboard Bronze. The Surf Boats section under veteran boat captain Mick Curwen, wrapped up a thrilling and highly successful campaign at the Australian Titles; with crews young and old, representing Noosa with grit determination and true team spirit. Racing started off with a great effort by the Masters in the heats, two second placers and a first-which put them through to the final: unfortunately, they got pipped to finish fourth. On the Friday the U 19, hit the water for three tough rounds with the spotlight shining on the newly formed girls crew- The Birdz.
From a field of 29, these rookies made it through to the finals, finishing in 6th place: truly a remarkable achievement. The U 19 Boys, the Tuis, gave it their all, showing skill and determination, but missed out on making the quarter finals. Despite missing out they remained on the beach helping other crews wherever needed. Always last to leave, the beach their team spirit did not go unnoticed.
On the sand Josie Holmes U 19 beach sprint, Silver, Mila Jones U15 flags Bronze, Mia Caple and Sienna Carter U17, 2 x1km Beach Run Relay Silver. Again, in First Aid Noosa came home with medals. Kayla Lloyd-Stewart and Rosie Goulding U17 Silver, Archer Bailey and Summer Mitchel U 17 and 19 Bronze, Archer Goulding and Phoenix Bailey U15 silver.
Adaptive competition, new events now contested by ‘our youth in need of assistance,’ is to be applauded. The courage and determination shown by these young athletes is inspiring: Charlie Hotker from the Noosa Seahorse group is a classic example. Many thanks to handlers Jo Power and James Marsh.
For Noosa with its new non-political coaching structure and Sunshine with its great cultured attitude, success for both in the world of surf sport should now become a constant companion.
Rugby League.
Again, it was a wet weekend for all Pirates away games. Against Beachmere, C grade went down 40-4. Good win for Pirates vs Nambour U19s 20-18, Reserves 34-10 and A’s 32-10. Big welcome to George Burgess: our ‘’new Pommie mate,’’ who last weekend pulled on a Pirates jersey. Welcome to Noosa mate, and good luck. More on the big fella next week.
