In what can only be described as a truly outstanding performance, in the Elite Women’s Long Course, of the Coolangatta Gold, 20 year old Finella Gibbs -Beal of the Noosa club, finished in fourth place. For this incredible young lady, already an established 10 km open water swimmer to achieve such a result in her first endeavour, can only make us wonder, ‘Just what lays ahead for this young lady?’
Coachers, officials and water safety officers who were working the event from the beach and water were amazed at her performance. Considering that this event is looked upon as being the toughest in the world of international lifesaving makes Finella’s result even more outstanding.
The event which consists of a 23km ski race, a 1km beach run, a 3.5km swim a 6km board paddle and finishers up with an 8 km beach run, saw Finella cross the finish line in 4hr 45 min. When asked her feelings she replied. “I was so pleased with everything; I am happy to say that I gave every leg of the race the very best of my ability.”
Perhaps the proudest of all on the beach (apart from her mother} would have to be coach Darren Mercer. Apart from her overall performance, unbeknownst to the majority of her supporters, was the fact that until five months ago this 20-year-old clubbie had never paddled a surf ski: little alone raced one.
And to top it off the ski race was a 23km major leg of the event. However, the problem was resolved when coach Mercer, arranged for his daughter Jordan, (a former national iron woman champion and experienced ski medal winner at national level) to step in and take control of the matter. The result, of what looked like being a major problem, now speaks for itself.” When it all worked out well, I was not really surprised. Her perseverance while doing her ski training had to be seen to believe,” said coach Mercer. “She is an extremely strong-minded person and coming from her swimming background, endurance was already an inbuilt factor.”
“I always believed that swimming is the hardest sport that one can do,” said Finella. With these beliefs already inbuilt, in it was just a matter of putting it all together for that one event. For her race tactics everything was in order. For the first leg which was the ski race and possibly my weakest, I stayed up front of the second group of girls: and this saw me in a fairly good position.”
“Regarding this,” said Mercer, “once off the ski she was never passed by another competitor: she just started to pick all the competition off one by one, all the way to the finish: and on the big day she had all her family in attendance as her support team. Add to this, for the grueling swim leg, her boyfriend Kai Robertson, was the board paddler who guided her trough the swim race and kept her on track.
Apart from her ski lessons, what could have been a worry some twelve months prior, was a nasty shoulder injury. However, this matter came to the attention of a Noosa nipper coach and fitness guru Woogie Marsh (father and trainer/ coach of our junior Commonwealth Weightlifting champion Taj Marsh) and in the words of coach Mercer, ‘’Woogie was a hugh part of working through the hard times with Finella: and this resulted, in getting her back into full training last season.”
In his summary of the lead up to the event and the event itself, Coach Darren Mercer said, “She persevered with the ski paddling and kept working hard all through the off season in preparation for the Gold. She has the mental toughness to take her all the way. I am so proud of the way she raced and it’s a true testament of what Finell is capable of as she starts hr ironwoman journey.”
Then from the lady herself, when asked whether she would go again the answer her answer needed no prompting. ‘’Definitely I will-100 per cent. It has been a great experience: and I can still see my mother crying happy tears of joy. Something I will never forget.”
While talking surf lifesaving competition it is once again time to catch up with the Noosa Heads surf boat section: and all indications are they will have a very busy season for 24/25.The major highlight of the boat section is that it is a team sport and regardless of the sport, be it surf teams, taplin, beach relays or belt races the teams events, properly governed will always tend to strengthen a club. As the old boys of the 1960s era would say, look after your team events and they will look after you. (the club) And for the Noosa club boats is a tradition that started in 1949.
Another interesting aspect of the Noosa boats is their connection with both the Pirates Rugby League and the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union. This year for example the Noosa U23s boys, is a Dolphin’s crew as is the Reserve grade men’s. In the masters Noosa has two crews and the same with the Rookies, one boy’s and one girl.
Just recently former Dolphins Club President Donald McKill, was at that time spending his summer months, serving as an instructor and Patrol captain at Noosa Main Beach. Then in years past two Pirates players Mal Hanley and Terry Williams went on to become Life Members of the Noosa Surf club. Brendan Williams, son of Terry Williams went on to play in the centers for Pirates A grade, earning himself a big reputation as a defender. He also spent his summer months patrolling Noosa’s Main Beach. To have the lifesavers of our community in winter, going in pleasant pursuit of the pill, be it League or Union is definitely a good thing and we wish them well.
On Saturday the Noosa Surf club will play host to a boat carnival for both Youth and Masters: once again sponsored by Megabeam and under the supervision of the Australian Surf Rowers League of Queensland. (ASRL). Last time the Megabeam Boat Carnival was a big success: so here’ s hoping for the same again. Many thanks to all involved.
