Last Saturday saw the start of another Noosa Seahorse Nippers season. Despite the chilly weather there was a good turn up of Noosa Seahorse Nipper families, helpers, and qualified surf lifesavers from Noosa, Sunshine Beach and Peregian surf clubs.
Speaking with both Steve (Chairman) and Nikkie Mawby they were pleased with the all-round attendance. ‘’This season we have 36 registered members and on Saturday there were 26 in attendance plus 40 helpers.’’ Once again, a big thank you to the Noosa Shire Council for their support, and particularly the parking arrangement in the Lions Park.
The Bus Boys were once again in attendance and their assistance in family parking and transportation from the park to Noosa’s Main Bech, really made their day. Regarding activities, the Seahorse people this year started combined signal and tube rescue, obstacle courses, wading and kayak paddling.
Steve Porter, a senior Noosa life saver is leading the Seahorse program for children, in preparation for the SLSA Australian Titles Adaptive events: a new and very popular event for children in need.
Also, it was good to see Australian Irion Man Legend Darren Mercer back on Main Beach, saying hullo to all involved. You can rest assured that the Welcome Mat, is always there for the Mercer family on their return. Also, a big thank you goes to Libby Doherty: her work behind the scenes as a support administrator has been outstanding.
Outrigger
From the Outrigger World Titles in Brazil comes the news that 15-year-old Lachlan Burnett of Noosa, finished 8th in the finals of his division. For this young athlete to finish 8th, after only paddling seriously for five months against the best the world has to offer, is indeed an outstanding performance.
Battle of Tasman Cup
As was previously stated, this weekend Noosa coachers Sharlene Kelly (Australian Ski Coach) will face off against Mike Janes, (New Zealand Water Coach,) while Youth World Beach Sprint Champion Josie Holmes of Australia will be racing in the Pathway Opens category in which she will wear the green and gold for the first time.
Josie’ selection came because of a stella season during which she became the Youth Beach Sprint World Champion at the Lifesaving World Titles: also won the U19, Beach Series Championship, then won a silver medal at the U19 Beach Sprints at the Australian Championships. She went on to be crowned Beach Competition and Supreme Athlete of the Year, at the Noosa Awards Night.
On the weekend Noosa Senior and Youth athletes rallied their support around Josie, in her final hit out on the sand at Noosa, prior all three leaving for their respective mid-week camp at the Gold Coast. This left just enough time for our rivalry to begin between our own Aussie girl’s vs Kiwi standoff on the sand, with Noosa SLSC being well represented in the international event.
As a further indication of things to come this season, from the Noosa SLSC, (in an outcome of pure chance,) all three of their high-performance coachers ended up presenting and supporting the Sunshine Coast Coaches Day two, a week ago. A call came from the Sunshine Coast SLS Branch, asking for support from any HP coaches, to assist on boarding and supporting new coaches, from all over the Sunshine Coast, of which Sharlene and Mike plus beach coach Todd “Swanny” Mc Swan, all independently, volunteered. None of them knew the others had done the same, until communications came out from Sunshine Coast Branch with the agenda.
The full day event held on Sunday 24 August, which attracted many Development coaches from SLS Clubs from cross the Sunshine Coast, all three coaches, delivered breakout workshops on athletes’ development and surf sports programming: volunteering their own individual expertise and passion to the next wave of coachers from all other.
At a club level, Noosa Heads SLSC surf sports program is in full swing, with athletes preparing for World Ocean Series trials, and the Beach program athletes preparing for early season Gift racing, through Queensland Athletics: and revelling in the recent announcement by SLSQ that they will host the first round of Qld Beach Series on Saturday 22nd November.
This event attracts several hundred competitors from all over the State: in sprints, flags, and relays across three separate carnivals. Within the club program being led by Sharlene, Mike and Swanny and under the steering of new Director of Surf Sports things are looking positive and exciting.
From Between the Flags.
For the new season of beach patrolling, it all starts again on Saturday 20 September: and for the Noosa Club the word from new club captain Trevor King is “It could not be better. There are now 17 patrol teams on roster, and the day will start with a ceremony, The Raising of the Flags.”
From the Noosa Club there are some exciting changes, with a mixture of keen youngsters and long serving legends. However, the major factor is the attitude of the new management, in Lifesaving, Surf Sports and JAC- fresh ideas, teamwork and renewed energy.
From this it becomes obvious that the key factor is boosting on- the -sand experience. The club is lucky to have several Long Service Members now stepping into mentor the newest patrolling members. Their leadership wisdom and guidance will be invaluable as the team grow stronger together. The final message from Club Captain Trevor King says it all, “If you have any questions or need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help.”
With tourist visitation on the increase the need for our beach patrols to be ever alert goes without saying and don’t be afraid to chat to our visitors- in doing so you are letting them know you are there for them.
Martial Arts,
From Karate Noosa comes yet more good news regarding the ability of our youth in sport. For several months now, Noosa Today has been spreading the good news about our Youth, and here again is yet another example.
Her name is Sophia Innis and this Junior Black Belt Shotokan Karate student, under the training of Head Sensei Bryan Dukas Black Belt 6th Dan, now competing in the Philippines, in the Philippines / Asia league, has just won the gold medal in the free sparing. We will have the full story next week.
