By NATASHA FABULIC
LAST Friday was predicted to be a record breaking hot day for March and for the Queensland State Youth Surf Lifesaving Championships.
The weather however was nothing compared to the red hot performance from the Sunshine Beach Nippers who dominated throughout day one at the championships hosted by Maroochydore Surf Club.
For the Under-11 Girls – Jemima Bromage, Grace Howard, Lulu Korac, Grace Otto, Mikayla Smith, Abbie Tolano, Haley Tolano and Freya Wilson – this was their first State Carnival experience. They were off to a flying start with Gold in the Surf Team, Silver for Cameron Relay Team 1, fifth for Team 2, along with many top-eight placings adding many points to the overall club score.
The Under-13 Girls – Sophie Bolton, Siena Liesch, Charlotte McKinley Jess McMaster and Ruby Nolan – were strong also, taking home Gold for the Surf Team, Silver for the Cameron Relay, Silver for the Surf Board Rescue and Bronze for the Surf Board Relay.
The Under-13 Boys – Zac Bromage, Ben Dods, Lachlan Franklin, Max Moore, Flynn Ross, Elis Jeynes and Max Smallman – also had many top-eight placings and medals awarded, notably, Gold for the Surf Team, Bronze for the Under-13 Male Cameron and Bronze for the Surf Board Relay.This year included Under-15 events and Sunshine’s Ellie Bissaker took home Gold in the Rescue Tube Race.
The bus trip home was high spirited with the clever Under-11 Girls writing a new club chant but not to be outdone the boys also came up with a new club song to entertain the team during debrief.
On Saturday spirits seemed a little flat as some kids fell from the dizzy heights of team medals to the harsh reality there was two more days of competition to get through. But it wasn’t long before the calls coming over the loud speaker from the Under-14 arena that seemed to suggest the only club at the carnival was Sunshine Beach.
In an amazing effort the Under-14 Boys – Zach Brewer, Tom O’Connor, Mav Pettigrove, Jonty Redwood – took Gold in Surf Teams, Cameron Relay, Board Relay and a Silver in Board Rescue. With the girls – Mikayla Barwicki, Talisa Brady, Olivia Emanuel and Katie Gleeson – following closely behind with Gold for the Surf Board Relay , Gold for Surf Board Rescue and Silver for the Surf Team.
Under-15 Girls – Ellie Bissaker, Amber Dods, Hayley Moore and Alice Tilleard – also chipped in with a very solid Bronze in the Surf Teams with the buzz starting to build “those sunshine kids can really swim.”
The final event of the day was a storm warning and the request to drop tents before leaving so the team was prepared for a wet return the following day. Despite heavy rain to the south and north of Maroochydore, the weather held reasonable on Sunday with just a little drizzle pre the March Past event where the March Past team carried the club reel and flag proudly amongst 26 other teams.
Sunday was individual semis and finals day. There were moments of disappointment and moments of joy but overall, the nippers were just happy to still be part of the final day competitions. Sunshine fielded a competitor in all but four of the water events on Sunday – truly an outstanding effort – and came home with medals galore and top-10 results in almost every event.
MEDALISTS
Gold – Mav Pettigrove Under-14 Surf Board Race.
Silver – Ruby Nolan Under-13 Ironwoman and Surf Race.
Silver – Zach Bromage Under-13 Surf Race.
Silver – Katie Gleeson Under-14 Sprints.
Silver – Olivia Emanuel Under-14 Surf Board and Surf Race.
Bronze – Olivia Emanuel Ironwoman.
Bronze – Talisa Brady Under-14 Surf Race.
Silver – Jonty Redwood Under-14 Surf Race.
Sunshine team spirit was high over the weekend and the medal haul large resulting in the tiny club coming a clear fifth place in the state. The carnival marks the end of another successful Nippers season for Sunshine Beach.
