To reach the pinnacle of sport in the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia is of course to win the legendary Coolangatta Gold.
This event which covers all aspects of surf competition, swim, board, run and ski is contested by the best of the best in both male and female divisions.
On Saturday the short course race over a distance of 21kl was contested then Sunday, the main event, the long course, over a distance of 41.7.
This year the ladies was won for the first time by Carla Papacy of Noosa Heads, second was Courtney Hancock Surfers Paradise and third was Lana Rogers of Alexandra Headlands.
This was a great win for Carla.
Apart from it being her first, the fact that it was achieved competing in a field that consisted of highly experienced former champions said it all. To Carla and coach Darren Mercer, it’s a very big well done from all in the Noosa community.
Carla’s career with the Noosa club started as a result of her friendship with former Noosa champion Jordie Mercer, daughter of Darren.
As a result of their friendship, Carla decided to transfer up from Cronulla to the warmer seasons of Noosa. As we can see the decision to make such a change could have not been better
It was also good to see Lana Rogers of the Alex club back on the podium with a third place. Last year was a big disappointment when she failed to finish both the Gold and the Ironwoman series due to Covid. Well done to Lana and coach Sharlene Kelly.
Next week we meet up with the new champion Carla and coach Darren Mercer.
Also, on the Coolangatta weekend program were many team events from the youth through to the masters. Noosa sent a team and was well represented and the results were noted for the season ahead.
Karate
Members of the Noosa Karate club have a busy time ahead.
Away from their normal karate activities all members are called upon to remember 30 October when they will once again make their annual contribution to the sporting community by working as volunteer stewards for the annual Noosa Triathlon. A great gesture to this sporting community.
Then on 12 November they will be holding their own open World Shotokan Karate Federation Championship at the Noosaville State School.
An open invitation to all Shotokan clubs in the region to take part is extended. The tournament will be run on traditional Japanese Shotokan rules thus an event of high standard competition can be guaranteed.
Then on 25 November at the Karate Noosa club rooms colour belt grading will take place. The next important occasion for all members, will be the evening of December 2 at the Saw and Mill Restaurant Cooroy. This will be the annual presentation of trophies. A good family club evening where outstanding efforts throughout the year by all ages and grades are acknowledged.
Owner and Head Sensi Bryan Dukas is full of confidence for the year ahead.
‘’It has been a good year. One major factor was the visitor of my mentor and father Mike Dukas 9th Dan.
“During his visit he conducted many seminars for black belts and junior members and these were of the utmost importance and happy to say, very well attended
“We have good membership but are keen to talk to any interested parties be they parents or students. We are situated at 7/9 Gibson Road, Noosaville and please feel free to drop in and have a chat and a look around.”
And now something in this day and age for parents to take on board when considering a sport for their siblings. Karate is a no concussion sport and at all times training sessions are conducted under strict supervision of highly graded instructors.
Rowing
On Saturday the Noosa Heads Surf club played host to 31 boat crews representing clubs from Noosa to Currumbin. The carnival, known as the ASRLQ Youth Carnival, was in its fourth year. The purpose of the Youth Carnival is to promote surf boat racing amongst the younger set.
In doing so, officials drew up a program of races that catered for U/17, U/19 and U/23, male and female crews, and the number of crews in attendance indicate that the concept is indeed very successful.
Noosa Boat Captain Anthony Fox was very pleased with both the weather and the overall carnival.
“It could not have been a better day. Both the weather and the surf, was perfect.
“For the crews, it had a 1 to 2m wave and it was just what we wanted.
“At these Youth carnivals, a lot of the crews are rookies and rowing in this size surf, helps to build their self-confidence. Many of the carnivals ahead will see them rowing in big surf.”
Queensland Rowers League president Gary Williams, who hails from the Tallebudgera club on the Gold Coast, said, “The Youth series is the backbone of our surf boat racing. It has been going for four seasons and we could not be happier. To see all these young men and women on the beach to compete is very encouraging.”
Both Williams and Noosa boat captain Anthony Fox thanked the carnival sponsor MEGABEAM (Clulam Specialist Caloundra)
“Your sponsorship for the Youth has been outstanding.”
Perhaps one of the outstanding features of the carnival was that once again the lifesavers from Yeppoon, who through a dual membership with Noosa, will continue to row for our Noosa club.
Their devotion and loyalty to Noosa has to be seen to be believed.
Rowing under the name of the Noosa Heads SLSC Bandits Open Women’s Boat Crew, they will continue to represent Noosa for the 2022/23 season.
A report from last season, reveals that these dedicated clubbies (not only patrol their own beach but also Noosa Main Beach) travelled an outstanding 1500 kilometres to fulfill their duties as lifesavers and also row in surf carnivals from as far away as Sydney.
These women deserve a vote of gratitude.
So, to Emma Bygrave, Hayley Ohl, Kodey Jensen, Sandra Booth and Rachael Millican your membership is our pleasure.
To perform their Noosa duties requires a seven-hour drive, then when the weekend is over another seven-hour drive home is required to return them back to their loved ones in Central Queensland.
Such was their performance in the boat carnivals last season that they have been one of the 12 crews in Australia, offered an invitation to row in the very prestigious Ocean Thunder Surf Boat Series, in the Open Women’s Competition.
With their reputation now being known and respected throughout the Australian surf boat community, they are affectionately known as the NooPoon Bandits.
This is one of those occasions when a nickname is definitely a sign of respect. A respect well earned.
It is to be hoped that those in high places of authority also acknowledge this outstanding contribution to lifesaving: not only in Queensland but also on the entire east coast of Australia.
Well done ladies, well done.
