For those who spend their summer months between the flags, either as a dedicated patrol person or in the world of competition, the season ahead looks busy, and big crowds are already in attendance.
For one particular young clubbie her future is also looking very busy. Her name is Electra Outram and her speciality is definitely the Nutra Grain Iron Woman Series: and for this, she has already made the cut for this year’s competition.
Previously a member of the Noosa Club, she now happily walks the golden sands of Sunshine Beach, and training under Sunshine’s Head Coach Wes Berg, she has achieved that major first goal: being happily settled and enjoying the team spirit.
With Berg being a former Nutri Grain success story, and Electra being on the same wave length, who knows just what lays ahead. On my first meeting with this charming young lady, regarding competition, she made a remark that I always remember. “It is not the number of times that you get knocked down, but the number of times you get back up – that’s what counts”
The physical world of Nutri Grain is definitely not for the faint hearted. For example, when the training programs is full-on a six day with four-hour sessions are not unheard of: and for this season her first event will be 16 December at Manly Beach in Sydney
However, the world of surf lifesaving is not her only major, for at present she is several years into a double degree, Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Commerce and Accountancy. When asked about her thoughts regarding the future, “I am not quite sure just yet but I wouldn’t mind working in a law firm.”
Regarding her competitive attitude coach Berg said, ‘’I could not be happier: she fits in well with the team and has a very happy-go-lucky, positive attitude. Away from the club she’s easy to work with, and a credit to family and friends.”
Her successes to date, speaks volumes for her dedication and attitude. Amongst her medals are the U14 and U15 Australian Iron Woman gold, then on entering senior ranks, she won bronze in the U17 National surf race, then later gold in the U 19 Australian single ski final. But her major win has, without a doubt, been the Short Course Coolangatta Gold. “Winning this has so far been my biggest thrill and something in which I take great pride. It has also done wonders for my self- confidence.”
When we stop and take an overall assessment of this young lady’s attitude to life, her sport, team mates and club, plus her conduct at Uni and within the community, one could say, that should it be required, she has the necessities of a junior Ambassador for Sport. We wish her, her coach and support group, every success.
Over the hill at the Noosa club, Iron Woman Carla Papac is also preparing for the forthcoming season. Back in 2022 Carla had a great year winning the elite Coolangatta Gold. However, this season she intends to concentrate on three events, the Summer of Surf, the State titles and the National: all of these are considered to be amongst the elite events for the season. With her experience, dedication and positive attitude anything is possible.
Carla who arrived in Noosa in 2022 had started in lifesaving as a nipper in the Cronulla Club. However, it was not till years later, that as a competitor, she became good friends with Jordie and coach, Darren Mercer. It was this friendship that was to result in her transferring to Noosa and training with the legendary coach.
Since settling into a lifestyle that she absolutely adores, and having previously obtained a degree in Exercise Physiology, she obtained work as such. Carla is a young lady who digs deeply into all aspects of both mental and physical fitness: this is the reason she changed her competition program, from the endurance events to the short course. We wish her and her coaching team, every success
To have two such elite athletes, as Electra and Carla who are well educated and very successful, is something that we in the Noosa community should take pride. We wish the two young ladies every success, in the season ahead.
Nippers
Last weekend Noosa Nippers had the privilege of hosting both the U8 to U10 individual carnival for the Sunshine Coast Branch, which took part on the Saturday; and Sunday saw Noosa again hosting the U8 to U14 club championships. With clubs coming from as far south as Redcliffe and Bribie, it was definitely a great weekend of nipper events.
Noosa nipper President Shaun Baker summed it up well with the following remarks. “It was great to see so many nippers on arguably the best beach in the world on Saturday morning, representing their clubs with a smile, having fun and making lifelong friends while striving for the same goal. They were doing their very best and having fun while doing it.
In closing I would just like to say congratulations to all the nippers that hit the beach on the weekend and above all, a big thank you to all volunteers from across the Sunshine Coast Branch, that made the weekend possible.”
Talking sport
This week, Pascale Hegarty from the Noosa Outriggers has kept us up to date with the following information. Congratulations to all the Noosa crews for three days for fantastic racing: and great results at the National Sprint Championship held at Lake Kawana. These were also the qualifiers for the World Sprint Titles to be held in Hawaii.
At the Sprint Championships there was a massive turn out with over 700 paddlers from 38 clubs: teams from Western Australia, NSW and far North Queensland. Platinum Masters women V12 won gold. These ladies qualified for the world titles in Hawaii next year. A second Noosa team in this division, won silver and also qualified for the Worlds. Senior Masters. MensV12 also took the gold. This team was made up of Senior Masters men and a number of our Golden Men: this resulted in them taking the win in am extremely close finish.
Johnno did extremely well in the V1 SMM and came a close second to Peter Dorries. His performance attracted the attention of the High-Performance Coach, and he may well end up in the elite squad. The Platinum Women also won gold and this again was a mixed club team.
Another outstanding performance came from the Platinum Men, with both teams entered for this event: and taking the gold and silver medals. Senior Masters Men steered by Bodo won the silver, thus qualifying them for the World Sprint Titles. The 500m Finals also produced some outstanding results.
The Platinum Women gold, Platinum Men (two teams) gold and silver. In the Golden Masters Women, there was an outstanding result when the Noosa won silver, as the gold medal winners were the current world champions. The Novice Mixed also joined the gold medal winners, with our last competitors steered to the finishing line by Paulie: what a great way to finish the National Sprint Titles.
Weightlifting.
A bulletin from the Head Coach of the Noosa Barbell club, Woogie Marsh, tells us that the club is heading out to Miles this weekend. Next week we will have results from this trip as well as the results from Perth U15 and Youth National Titles.
However, the main news will be a report on the performance of Taj Marsh, who is overseas contesting the world Junior Championships. We wish all our Noosa weightlifters all the very best. Good to see our Noosa athletes (regardless of their chosen sport) competing against the best the world has to offer.
