For the Impact Boxing and Fitness Centre the start of the new year was well attended: thus, indicating a good year ahead. ‘’This week’s attendance has been a fantastic way to start the new year,’’ said Head Coach Mark Evans. Above all he is very pleased with last year’s boxing results, both locally and internationally.
Now there is no holding back. Recently Team Impact travelled to Rockhampton to participate in a two-day development camp. With over 150 athletes in attendance and participating, sessions ranging from skill -specific training to valuable insights on strength, conditioning and nutrition, the camp offered something for everyone. Good to know there were many clubs from surrounding district in attendance.
Impact’s coach Mark Evans was applauded for leading such a well organised event and for sharing his knowledge with the Central Queensland boxing community. To top it off there was a big well done to our Team Impact Boxers for their contribution during the camp.
With such a strong momentum and dedication, 2025 has all the markings of shaping up to be a big year for the team. It is interesting to note, there appears to be a big increase in memberships within, (what is now referred to as combat sports), karate, jiu-jitsu, boxing and judo. In many clubs there is great family involvement, with the athletes starting their sporting careers as young as age 6.
Another point of interest is the fact that to survive and develop in these sports, tradition, self -discipline, good conduct and a firm family support is essential. This sort of attitude will always develop a culture, a culture that will be second to none: with these virtues’ success is just around the corner. Good luck to all involved.
Surf Lifesaving.
Shawn and Partners Iron Series. Weekend of February 1-2 saw the final of the series conducted at North Burleigh: and this year saw the arrival on the scenes of the next generation of champions. Ali Day and Lana Rogers were knocked out early on Sunday, and the new generation stepped forward.
However, for Sunshine Beach on Saturday Electra Outram again showed her capabilities when she finished in 2nd place coming in just behind Lana Rogers who finished 1st. The first and second places on the Saturday, earned a big round of applause from the Noosa clubs old boys, as both young ladies were former members at Noosa.
The great smiles and happy nature of both girls, saw the old boys giving them great support whenever they trained at Noosa’s Main Beach: we were very disappointed to see both leave for greener pastures. But since their departure both have enjoyed great success, and us oldies wish both, all the best in the future. The overall final placings on the Sunday, saw Electra Outram of Sunshine Beach SLSC finish in 5th place: a great performance from this young clubbie. Also, a great effort from her coaches and support group. Congratulations to all.
With the coaching of Sharlene Kelly kayaking is gaining popularity amongst local lifesavers. Coach Sharlene Kelly who represented Australia, paddling kayaks on a tour of Europe, is the right person at the right time: apart from kayaking, Kelly has also won medals paddling surf skis at the Australian titles.
The Queensland Sprint Kayak Championships were held at Coomera Lake on Saturday 1 February. Athletes raced over 500m and 200 m in the K1, K 2 and K4 events. Five athletes represented the Noosa area, and all competed very well against the rest of the state.
Rosita Ortega and Senna Graveling burst onto the kayak scene with the Sprint Championships being their debut event. Both athletes compete for the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club. “You could see the grit and determination they have developed from surf sports racing, and this resulted in their outstanding performance for this their first ever kayak event.” said coach Sharlene Kelly. Rosita came home with 2 medals a silver and a bronze and Senna came home with 2 bronzes.
Another surf sports competitor from the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club Jessica Porter, had a successful day coming home with 2 silver medals. Jess is a really determined athlete, and it shows every time she gets on the line to race: her surf ski paddling and her kayak paddling are both improving rapidly as a result. “I am looking forward to seeing just what Jess is going to achieve in the next few years,” said coach Kelly
Hudson Ash from good Shepard College and Tom Maker from St Teresa College, competed in the U18 and U16 men’s events respectively. These are the most competitive categories in Queensland now: but this didn’t deter Hudson or Tom. Both were strong competitors and great representatives for the Noosa area.
The QAS ‘’You For 2032” sprint kayak program is starting to gain solid momentum on the Sunshine Coast. This area made up more than half the competitor list at the State Titles and the organisers were proud to announce they had the largest competitor to date.
The QAS Talent and Paddle Australia are working closely with Surf Lifesaving Qld and this partnership means kayaking is only going to get bigger and stronger in Queensland. “My vision of seeing more Sunshine Coast athletes representing Australia in sprint kayaking at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic games is coming to fruition,” said coach Kelly.
The biggest National Sprint Kayak events are coming up, starting with the Open and U23 National team selection event on the 14th and 16th February and then the National Sprint Kayak Championships on 12 and 16 March: both to be held at the Penrith International Regetta Centre Sydney. The National Champs are the Junior National Team selection event.
Noosa’s Little Athletics.
Following his selection in the 2025 New Zealand Development Tour, up and coming young athlete, Linden Hermus, has just returned from trip that saw 30 athletes aged 14 to 15, to train and compete over 12 days on the South Island of New Zealand against local athletes from all over the island
‘’For athletes selected to go” said Tanya Mattila spokesperson for Noosa “it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a team environment in a sport where individual performance is normally the focus.”
Little Athletics Queensland has successfully conducted this tour for the past 15 years and all involved speak highly of the benefits: not just for the athletic development, but also for the social and emotional experience.
During the tour, Linden competed at the Lovelock Classic in Timaru on the South Island winning the gold in the 100m sprint hurdles and competed in the long jump and the 100m sprint, in which he ran a new personal best time. Next on the agenda was the South Island Colgate Games, where he won gold in the long jump with a personal best jump of 5.94m, gold in the 100m sprint hurdles and another gold in the 4x100m relay
On returning home he spoke of his experience. ‘’Spending time and competing against likeminded athletes was the highlight: not forgetting of course the leisure time in Queenstown enjoying the huge ice bar and jet boating.’’ Next big event for our athletes, Linden and many others, will be the 2025 Suncoast Regional Little Athletics Championships to be held at the University of the Sunshine Coast on 8-9 February.
