Ron Lane
If there was ever three Surf Life Saving coaches with a positive attitude toward the youth of their club it would have to be Wes Berg former Nutri- Grain Iron Man, Nipper coach and former Iron Woman Jade Berg and Adventure Race Organiser Justin Wyatt.
Just recently these three dedicated Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving coachers, kept up the famous annual club tradition known as hell week
This would have to be one of the best junior programs in Queensland lifesaving.
Having now been active for several years, there is nothing better as a confidence builder for the youth of the club. It consists of five full days of training and runs from 5am till 5 pm each day .
It starts with swim training, ocean sessions, adventure races, beach challenges, goal setting, race tactics, surf skills, mentorship, bush runs, journaling and much more, giving the nippers an incredible foundation for the competition end for the season.
Over 40 nippers all completed the five-day event displaying the evolving talent in the junior program.
With the club nippers taking part in such a wide variety of events, some for the first time, it could quite easy be a great opportunity for talent identification and this can be of the utmost importance where our youth is involved.
In early January, 13-year-old Claire Cameron was crowned U14 Branch Surf Rescue Champion.
Proud coach Wes Berg said, ‘’This young lady was competing in her first ever championship event and topped the field in the points tally, with an incredible 111.5 points out of a possible 120. With this event open to all age groups through to Masters, only one Master received a higher score.”
Claire completed CPR, live patient, written exam, run, board, tube rescue and a swim to win her age group.
This shows huge promise ahead for Claire at the State Surf Rescue Championships to be held on 4 February.
These results show us that the Sunshine Beach Nipper coaching panel must be doing a lot of things right. With a good panel also training the Noosa Nippers, the future is looking good for both clubs.
We wish them well.
There are many young people who join our clubs, stay for several years, then move on for various reasons. For some it’s work, competition or personal. But whatever, we wish them well and occasional like to keep in touch. An example of this is the Bailey brothers, Cooper and Bailey.
With both formerly in Peregian then Noosa and now Alexandra Headlands, Cooper has finally begun what could be the start of a success story.
Travelling to Manly for the next round of the Nutri Grain Iron Man Series, the first and second round Friday 13 January would be for Cooper one to forget.
“Round 1 finished 16th and Round 2 finished 11th. I had been sick two days before, missed a couple sessions and I guess it took it out of me.
“I thought that I had ruined my chances to achieve my goal to requalify for the next years series, which requires a top 10 finish. However, a big talk with coach Jack Hansen and all was back on track for Round 3 and 4 Saturday.”
With brother Cooper giving total assistance and mum in the crowd, it couldn’t be better.
Cooper finished sixth in the first race and followed up by winning the second.
‘’This second meant that I would start the last race of the day, the Handicap, in second and this led me to again finishing the day in second place.”
The overall result saw Cooper receiving his first ever Nutri Grain Iron Man podium finish.
“It was surreal. I remember giving mum a big hug. The rest was all emotions.”
Every ironman I have spoken to tells me that he always remembers winning his first ever podium place.
Maybe this first podium could be the start of something big for Cooper Williams, formerly of Noosa now Alex.
Who knows?
Noosa athletics
Our team at Noosa Athletics is now back training and head coach Mick Hooper is very confident for the year ahead.
‘’It looks like a very busy season coming up for both our senior and junior competitors .Our first carnival will be the Regional Championships on 4 and 5 February and this will be held at the Sunshine Coast University.
“Those who finish in the top four in their division will contest the state titles. With a team of 54 we should have a good showing.”
The next event of note will be 24-26 March at Townsville and will be contested by the U13 age group. A top three finish will see them compete in the Australian Titles at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park Melbourne.
It is this sort of competition that can make their sport expensive for the family. If they are successful at Townsville, they have to travel home then on to Melbourne at their own expense.
A very interesting point regarding a chance of competition against overseas athletes has come to the forefront.
Noosa club officials have become aware that the English Language School in Noosa Junction has become something of a second home for international student, aged 18 to 25.
Enrolling for a six-month course to study the English language, several have also started competing in the Noosa Athletics Club. Having a good experience, they don’t hesitate to recommend the club to new students, and on arriving home, tell those about to embark, about the famous Noosa Club.
‘’We have met a few and are looking out for others who would be interested in joining our club. It is a win win situation whichever way you look at it,” Coach Hooper said.
