Surf Life Saving.
Soon after announcing his retirement, Ironman legend Ali Day secured his 11th Coolangatta Gold title. Well done to a great athlete. However, for us that live at the top end of the Sunshine Coast the big news was that the women’s 25.6 km race was won by Sunshine Beach SLSC debutant Electra Outram.
For this charming young lady, it was her first big win in this toughest of events. Finishing in front of Carla Papac and Dominique Stitt her performance had been outstanding.
“I am really ecstatic – it means everything to me,” Outram said. The cheers of congratulations that went up from the individual Noosa Old Boys (Electra was a former Noosa member) raised the roof.
Regarding the race, Day who has become synonymous with the event, said the conditions were amongst the most demanding he had ever faced. “The constant soft sand transitions meant you couldn’t get into a rhythm-hardest I have ever done.” And Sunshine’s Electrum Outram, also went through this, to win Gold. A really outstanding effort.
Zale Outram of Sunshine Beach Club secured the Elite Men’s title in the Sprint Division. In the Elite Women’s event, Catlin Brouckaert from Noosa finished third, while Darcy Lewias, also from Noosa, took silver in the U/20 Men’s competition. Sunshine Coast athletes excelled in the Youth Challenge, with Aster McCall (Sunshine Beach Club) winning the U/13 Women’s and Rhys Nichio (Noosa) taking the U/12 Men’s title.
Noosa spokesperson and coach Sharlene Kelly goes on to tell us how Rhys Nichol dedicated his win to Shaw and Partners Ironwoman, Tiarnee Massie. Tairnee broke her paddle at the start of the 25.6 and was minutes behind but showed incredible determination the finish eight after borrowing one from a spectator. During his victory speech he commented, “Tiarnee gave me inspiration.”
Mike Janes, Coach at Noosa Surf Club, commended the ongoing impact that elite athletes have on inspiring the next generation. “It’s great to see our young athletes learning how the elite athletes handle adversity. It shows how important those role models are for our sports future.” Out of the 16 open to junior categories, racing across the weekend, nine Sunshine Coast athletes stood on the podium-a testament to the regions coaching, depth and strong surf lifesaving culture.
The momentum now rolls into this weekend’s Rainbow Beach Carnival, where over 80 Noosa Surf Club athletes from U8-U14 will compete. For many it will be their first taste of competition. Judging by the Coolangatta Gold results the future of Sunshine Coast surf lifesaving looks bright.
Karate.
For members of the Karate Noosa Shotokan Club, led by Chief Instructor Bryan Dukas (Black Belt 6th Dan), the recent trip to Tokyo was a resounding success. Not only did they compete in the World Championships 2025, but they also participated in training seminars. A three-day international training seminar, was conducted by World Chief Instructor Hitoshi Kasuya 9th Dan.
During this, Bryan Dukas sensei was given the honour of being asked to teach part of a lesion at the seminar. After the tournament, members also went to local Japanese dojos for more training, with Kawaski sensei (who visited Australia in (2023) and Sugimoto sensei. These were top class training sessions with much learned.
Regarding the tournament results were as followers. Freddie Broman took gold in the boys’ kata for 11-year-olds, while Alyssa Bateman won gold in the same age category for girls. Both Freddie and Alyssa were also part of the Junior Team Australia, which secured a silver medal in the team kata event. In the 15-year boys kata Brandon Dukas won Silver. Bianca Finn claimed gold in the veteran’s kumite and also secured gold in the Jyu Kumite (continuous sparring).
Iin the Veterans Division, Kimberley Bateman won Bronze in the kata and Bronze in the kumite, then went on to win Silver in the Jyu Kumite: and Bryan Dukas, again won gold in veterans kata. Kimberley and Bianca helped the Mixed Veterans team kata win silver. Finally, Bianca Finn joined an international kumite team with Irish and Chinese teammates, and together they won the gold medal. Apart from the training seminars and competition, the following gradings were recorded: Brandon Dukas 1st Dan Black Belt, Morney Plescia 4th Dan Black Belt, and Kimberly Bateman 4th Dan Black Belt. Also, during the tournament Bryan sensei and Morney sensei were called upon to work as referee and judges for the tournament.
Good to know that Brendon received his Shodan certificate and sensei’s Kim and Morney received their Yondan certificates: written confirmation of their gradings. Overall, sensei Dukas has been very pleased with the team’s sojourn in Japan. “Our club has shown true sportsmanship and respect to other competitors and sense’s during their time. It was really a great day to wear the Australian team uniform, thus showing respect to the dojo, as we worked to assist in the clean-up.” A good finish to a very successful visit to our friends in Japan
Weightlifting.
Noosa Barbell Club performed well at the 2025 Youth National Titles, according to Head Coach Woogie Marsh.
The weekend of 18-19 October, saw Australia’s best U15 and U18 weightlifting athletes, descend on Bribie Island for the 2025 Youth National Championships.
Noosa Barbell proudly had two lifters qualify for the event, Kase Dowd and Cooper Ward, both representing the club with strong performances on the national stage. Competing in the Men’s 79 kg category Kase Dowd delivered an impressive performance finishing 5th overall, with lifts of 68kg in the snatch and 90kg in the clean and jerk, achieving a personal best total of 158kg.
In the Men’s 88kg division, teammate Cooper Ward showcased excellence form and composure snatching 88kg and clean and jerking110kg, to claim the bronze medal. Next for Noosa Barbell is the Masters National Championships, where Kirrly Dowd and Erin Oberem will take the platform in Canberra this coming week: with both hoping to continue the clubs strong run of performances. All at Noosa Today wish them well.
