The 2011 Allphones New South Wales Junior Surf Life Saving Championships were held over the weekend with Mid-North Coast clubs enjoying success.
The small country clubs always struggle to rival their city counterparts in the tally but the weekend put Surf Life Saving Mid-North Coast (SLSMNC) on the map for all the right reasons.
The lone gold medal of the weekend went to Mitchel Atherton of Tacking Point for an outstanding swim to claim gold in the Under 9 Boy’s Surf Race.
The only other medals over the weekend from the Mid-North Coast all went to Tacking Point, with a silver to Henry Pannifex in the Under 14 Boys’ Board and a silver to Samantha Broomby in the Under 12 Girls’ Beach Flags.
At the conclusion of the traditional March Past on Sunday, the Surf Life Saving New South Wales (SLSNSW) Junior Lifesavers of the Year were announced.
Mid-North Coast Branch was ably represented by Under 14s members Henry Pannifex of Tacking Point and Emily Davidson of Port Macquarie.
Making it into the record books as the first time a Branch has won both titles in the same year, Henry and Emily took home the State Male and Female Junior Lifesaver of the Year titles convincingly for their clubs, branch and themselves.
“Henry and Emily both interviewed amazingly at our Branch selections in December. We firmly knew that both these great young lifesavers stood an excellent chance at the State selections,” SLSMNC Junior President James Burnett said.
“It was apparent that the duo convinced the state panel with their clear passion and dedication to our movement. The whole branch is proud of their achievement, which has capped off a great 12 months that saw SLSMNC members also take home State Lifesaver of the Year and runner-up in Young Lifesaver of the Year.”
Other notable results included 5th to Ryan Carroll (Tacking Point) in Under 11 Boys’ Ironman, 6th to pocket rocket Finn Askew (South West Rocks) in Under 9 Boys’ Board, 6th to Josh Dwyer (Port Macquarie) in Under 10 Boys’ Beach Flags and a 6th to Tacking Point in the Under 12 Male Sprint Relay.
This was in addition to many Mid-North Coast participants making finals in their events, not an easy feat in itself.
Over the weekend, the seniors “lifesaving events” were also held, including First Aid Competition and Champion Lifesaver.
Jedd Goggin of Bonny Hills Surf Club was aiming to place 1st or 2nd to enable him to go through to Aussies but had to accept a 3rd place after a disappointing resuscitation section.
James Burnett and John McGregor of South West Rocks Surf Club entered the Open First Aid Championships and were the only country team represented.
For first-time entrants, they were happy to finish 6th.
Tune in as the seniors hit the beach from Thursday to vie for medals, glory and the title of State Champion.
