By NATASHA FABULIC
TEAM spirit was alive and well last Sunday when Nippers from across the coast converged on Caloundra beach for the Met Caloundra U11-U13 Junior Teams Carnival. This is a day when individual pursuits are put aside and it becomes all about the team and putting in for your mates. It is a great opportunity for children who don’t always make finals or place in individual events to experience the thrill of a final and the excitement of a placing. There were plenty of events to keep all participants and support staff busy all day. And just to make sure no team missed out, some younger Nippers helped out and competed up an age group to ensure Sunshine had a team in every event.
Teams of six compete in the All Age Beach Relay and teams of four compete in the age group beach relays. Competitors race on a 70- metre soft sand course with speed and good baton changes the winning factors. Teams of four compete in the Cameron Relay which consists of a swim, a run, a nipper board paddle then a final run. Just the odd ripple of a wave made it a great day for water safety, however the flat conditions meant water event competitors had to work hard to break free from the pack.
Complaints to coach Max about the difficulty getting around the cans in a pack were met with the standard reply “if you’re in front, none of that happens”. The exit from the water and run to the next competitor or finish were also critical to achieve a placing. Teams of three compete in the Surf Board Relay, teams of two compete in the Surf Board Rescue – a swimmer and a board paddler that comes to the rescue – and teams of four compete in the Surf Swim. The march past consists of teams of 12 equipped with a surf life saving reel, line and belt, a team flag and pole. The team is judged on their team uniforms and marching skills. The Sunshine Nippers’ solid efforts led to many finals appearances and top six placings.
Sunshine gained top three places in the following events:
March past team 3rd (held during a break in activities due to the shark alarm clearing the water)
U13 Female Cameron 2nd
U13 Female Board Relay 3rd
U13 Female Board Rescue 2nd
U13 Male Board rescue 3rd
U12 Male Board Rescue 3rd
U12 Female Surf team 3rd
