Calm has been restored in South West Rocks after hosting the 2012 Stramit Country Championships on the weekend.
Reigning title holder Byron Bay came out victorious over Warilla-Barrack Point, while three Mid North Coast surf clubs placed in the top ten at the Stramit Championships. Tacking Point finished sixth overall, with Port Macquarie eighth and Wauchope Bonny Hills ninth.
The championships, which are held over three days each January, involve age divisions from the under 8s to the opens. Over 1500 surf sports competitors contested events ranging from beach sprints and flags to board, swim and Ironman.
Just over 100 Port Macquarie Surf Life Saving Club members from the under 8 nippers through to our masters competitors registered to compete at the world’s fourth largest surf sports event.
Port Macquarie was a strong display of skills on the beach with medals in the majority of sprint and flag events from under 8s through to the 60 plus age category.
Selina Warrington, a talented under 17 competitor, won the prestigious open event in a fine display of speed across the sand. She also took out gold in her age group in the sprint and flags and silver in the open flags. Nicolas Webb took out bronze in the men’s open sprint while David Plews decided to mix it up with his younger rivals to come fourth in the open beach flags event.
Paula Stone competed in nine events over the weekend, coming away with medals in most of these and she took second in the prestigious 30 plus Ironwoman (swim, run, board, ski event). Jacinta McAvoy came fourth in the under 12 Ironperson. Jacinta was consistent all day with placings in all individual events on both land and sea.
Melinda Cockshutt dominated in the 30-39 category taking gold in the rescue tube events, ocean swim, 2km beach run, beach flags and silver in board and board rescue (with Paula Stone).
Life Member, Larry Brook won gold in the rescue tube and silver in surf race (60 plus catergory).
In under 17s it was a first and second finish for Liam Wright and Joe Wright in the beach run and first time competitor Tony Donegan took fourth in the 30 plus category.
Consistent performance by Linsday Lewis in 50-59 surf race events and he teamed up with Duncan Kirkland to come fifth in the 30 plus board rescue event.
According to Wauchope Bonny Hills Surf Club spokesperson Lyn Gallagher, tame surf conditions at South West Rocks made for close competition in the water. “The flat water forced competitors to swim or paddle hard in order to gain a place on the podium,” she said.
The Bonny Hills-based club were extremely pleased with their carnival results, particularly in the team events. The club won gold medals in the under 9, under 15 male and under 19 male beach relay events, as well as silver in the under 8 and under 15 female beach relay.
For the under 8 nippers it was their first chance to compete at this level. Wauchope Bonny Hills competitors Joshua Goldberg and Mia Bales both revelled in the conditions, winning gold medals in the sprint and flags events.
Chloe Eichman dominated the under 9 competition on the sand, gaining first place in both the sprint and flags events.
The Sinclair family had a successful day on the sand, although it came at a cost. Dad Andrew won the 40-49 years male beach sprint, however 11-year-old Keely broke her wrist in the flag heats shortly after winning gold in her beach sprint event.
Efforts by trainers Darren Gill, John Sargeant and Peter Smith to develop the skills and competitiveness of the club’s 15-19 year olds have clearly paid off. Brooke Gallagher, Tyson Wiegold, Jason Sargeant, Jarrod Smith and Brock Longworth all put in an excellent effort.
In the senior ranks Keith Charles and George Flower both came away with medals, as did Andy Eames, Jarrod Smith, Gil Olzomer and the under 23 Female surf boat crew.
Surf Life Saving competitors from across NSW are now gearing up for the Branch Championships in early February and the State Titles in early March.
