On Saturday 25 October, Rainbow Beach SLSC hosted the annual Nipper Surf Carnival with Sunshine Coast clubs in attendance. The event was especially successful for Noosa Heads and Sunshine Beach.
The Noosa Club saw 84 energetic and proud members come together for spirited competition. Teamwork and enthusiasm were evident throughout the beach sprints and board paddling, making it truly inspiring.
At the end of the day, during the club’s celebration, a new U10 nipper captured the excitement after his first board race: “It was amazing racing with my friends and finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th.”
Earlier in the month a group of 16 of these nippers also took part in the Youth Challenge at the Coolangatta Gold, cheering on the clubs’ open competitors, and mingling with the elite athletes, before doing their job and taking on nippers from across the country. It was during this time that Rhys Nichol took first place in the U12 Male Division: definitely a proud moment for the club.
Director of Noosa Heads SLSC Junior Activities Andrea Baker, shared her excitement, ‘’It is fantastic to see our Nippers showing up having fun and giving it a go. Our Nippers’ teamwork and enthusiasm in the sand and surf make us proud. This is only the beginning of what promises to be a fantastic season and behind every Nipper is a family helping to make it all possible.
Our age managers and coaches help nippers gain confidence in the water and on the sand, while families consistently support and assist each week. Their commitment guarantees that our young lifesavers are provided with optimal opportunities to develop, acquire knowledge, and flourish through these exceptional programmes.”
From volunteering to simply being there to cheer them on, we thank every parent and carer for being such an essential part of the Noosa Nippers community. Carnivals provide enjoyable experiences and foster enduring relationships. The NHSLSC Junior Activities Committee values the continued support from families and anticipates an excellent upcoming season.
It’s gratifying to see ongoing support for the Rainbow Beach carnivals each year. It was our support and team of bronze Instructors that trained the young Gympie volunteers who, after obtaining their bronze medallion, returned to their home base, stayed on as a team, and went on the form what is now known as the Rainbow Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
Their 60 years of service to their community is something that the Old Boys of Noosa can take pride in. It is evident that the training and support provided would have been beneficial, even if only in limited or short-term ways. Congratulations and well done to you all, and all the very best in the years ahead.
Not only has Noosa supported the Rainbow Beach Club, but Sunshine Beach has also continued its strong support. They call the Rainbow Beach Carnival one of their season’s top events. It is nothing to see competitors from U8 racing alongside U15, putting their skills to the test.
Sunshine, with just 52 competitors, excelled across all age groups and secured fourth place overall. The U13 girls, Billie Berg, Isabel Czajkowskyj and Aster McCall, delivered an extraordinary performance, completing a clean sweep, finishing first, second and third, in the board swim and iron events.
These were also selection events for the upcoming Sunshine Coast Branch Team. The girls consistently showcase their strength and high-level performance. The U13 boys delivered strong performances, with Sam Thompson and Hendrix Marsh both securing podium finishes in their respective events. These results indicate a promising future for the competition.
In their first ever carnival, the U11s also showed incredible enthusiasm and team spirit, with Manoa Lonergan taking 2nd place in the surf race. The U14, U15 athletes led their club proudly, thus showing a strong culture of teamwork and excellence that runs through the Sunshine Beach Club. One of the most outstanding performances of the day occurred when the U9 girls won the Cameron Relay. This includes a swim, board and two running legs. And to top it off the U12 boys also won their Cameron Relay.
Head Coach Wes Berg is reportedly very pleased with the club’s performance. Coach Berg once told me quote, ‘‘If you create a culture the rest will follow.” How right he is. “The surf sports have set a great benchmark for the first competitive carnival of the season, and I am excited to see just what we can do as we head into summer.”
Boxing.
Mark Evans, Head Coach of the Australian and Cooroy Team Impact Boxing Squad, once shared one of his guiding mottos with me: “Have gloves, will travel.” The last two weeks have been a perfect example. First up was a trip to Canberra for the Australian Masters Games, where four of our boxers- Dallas Arnett’s, Cassie Fitzgerald, Ada Tse and Neville Wienert- stepped into the ring and put on outstanding performances across two days of competition.
End result, two gold and two silver medals. It’s great to see that more of our seasoned athletes proving that you are never too old to lace up the gloves. This was followed by a quick flight home from Canberra- the team didn’t stop-jumped straight into the Impact Boxing bus and headed to Rockhampton for the Saturday nights fights: with three of our boxers on the cards.
Theo Rivera won with a three-round stoppage, Zaden Johnson battled in an absolute war and lost on a split decision, one that could have gone either way. Mika Davey lost on points after a great performance against a tough opponent from Black Rock Boxing Club. The team will now regroup before heading to Emerald for the Coldfield’s Tournament.
In this the 20th season for Impact Boxing there remains just two tournaments left on the calendar. Next stop Toowoomba November22nd. Coach Mark Evans and wife Kylie, send a big thank you to all their support team.
Noosa Little Athletics.
Saturday 25 October was Part 1 on the annual Little Athletics Queensland (LAQ) Summer Carnival held in Brisbane at the Queensland Sports and Athletic Centre (QSAC). A team of five members represented us in Southeast Queensland to compete with top contenders. Again, our team rose to the occasion with some excellent results.
In the U11 group, Zac Nielsen earned bronze in the 200m and finished 4th in the 80m hurdles. Eleanor Tillotson won gold in the high jump and bronze in the 200m. For U13, Lilah Maddern took gold in the 80m hurdles and bronze in triple jump. Our U15 boys excelled, with Marcus Kalaitzoglou winning gold in triple jump and placing second in the 200m. Will Tillotson won gold in the long jump and silver in the triple jump.
“Our club is so proud of its members,” said Head Coach Mike Hooper. “All five competed to the best of their ability, showing great sportsmanship and being rewarded for their efforts.”
