By Ron Lane
That great organisation that cares for Special Needs Children, the Noosa Seahorse Nippers, is once again finalising their program for their forthcoming season.
For this season, the dates and time are as follows; the 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th of April, 8am-9am at Main Beach Noosa. Bronze and Surf Rescue Certificate holders are invited to assist in running the program.
This organisation has been running for five years. The improvement amongst some of the Seahorse Nippers has been so good and it has enabled children to progress to mainstream Nippers, and also attend their first carnival.
To know that some of these children have achieved what many would have deemed impossible, and that is to attend a surf carnival, has made the time, effort, travel and cost all worthwhile.
Now the concept has been introduced into the Bundaberg district, and happy to relate it was a huge success.
To Steve and Nikki Mawby, the founding members, “you’re blood is worth bottling.” Anyone interested in helping can contact Nikki on 0424 206 489 or mawbys@bigpond.net.au
To say that our National Titles were turbulent would be a gross under-statement. To carnival organiser Andrew Buhk and his team – thanks for the effort.
Facing a week of cyclonic weather, Sunshine and Noosa teams were at North Kirra, competing against the best Australia had to offer. Unfortunately to some extent Mother Nature had a win, and a lot of major water events were cancelled. From a normal program of five days the program was reduced to just two; leaving the carnival with only a 54 per cent completion of events.
This would have to be the first time in our history that we have experienced such an occurrence.
Despite fielding a small team, Sunshine achieved good results. In doing so, they have maintained their tradition as medal winners in the blue ribbon events of champion lifesaver and patrol competition at national level.
In the Under 15 section, Sophie Boulton (female category) and Flynn Ross (male category) won silver medals, and in the Under 17 patrol competition Freya Claire, Allice Tilleard, Tom Connor and Jonty Redwood won the bronze.
The swim section saw Nick Sloman win the Under 19 surf race. This was a follow-up to his winning the Open 2km swim at the weekend.
Overall tally – 27 competitors (Under 14 to Masters) medal count; two gold, five silver and five bronze.
Noosa fielded a big team consisting of Masters and Opens. In the Masters, with the club contesting most events, the final count saw Noosa finish in fourth place on the competition ladder.
“We are happy with the team results. Last year Noosa finished in sixth place,” Coach Darren Mercer said.
“We didn’t think it was possible. Noosa’s legendary First Aid coach, Lenore Grice, working as a support member to up-and-coming coach Tom Webber, has once again been involved in bringing home another four national medals.
This time it was Lillie Tindall and Lara Porter winning gold in the Under 15 and Tom Webber and Maggie Glassock winning silver in the Open Division. The Under 19 section saw Noosa win bronze and silver in the Under 17 section.
In the swim section, to add to Kareena Lee’s gold in the 2km open, Jasper Outram won bronze in the Under 19 surf race and in the Under 17 division, Noosa took the bronze in the female board, ski relay and surf teams.
Another outstanding performance for Noosa came in the board riding section.
In a combined effort between the Masters and Opens, they won a total of eight medals – four gold, three silver and a bronze.
“Naturally the whole thing has been a disappointment. The titles are the pinnacle of our sport. It has been heart-breaking for our youth; all the months of training and sacrifice, but we are hoping that they will hang in there for next year,” Noosa’s Director of Surf Sport, Peter French said.
Also, a big well done to both coaches – Clint Robinson from Sunshine, and Noosa’s quiet achiever Darren Mercer.
