Competitors from Cudgen Headland SLSC have returned from the NSW Country Titles in South West Rocks with a bag full of medals.
The club was narrowly beaten into fourth place overall, finishing just five points from a top three finish in a competition won by Byron and dominated by Far North Coast Branch clubs.
Cudgen were really strong in the junior events, with gold medal winning performances in the water events from Luke Chaffer, Joshua Jones, Tamsin Bell, Joseph Warne and Tom (the gun) Swift propelling them to third place overall.
Emily Hurt was unlucky not to be amongst the gold medals, finishing with three individual silvers in the U12 Female age group.
The hard work and dedication shown by the Junior Water Coach Phil Klein during the season paid dividends, with strong results in all of the board relays, which was capped off with a win in one of the blue ribbon events, the Senior Cameron Relay.
The Club’s Senior Male competitors were ably led by Club Coach Scott McCartney and Jarrad Cain, who, with strong performances from Nathan Gray and Max O’Neill, spearheaded the seniors’ assault against the competition heavyweights, Byron Bay, Warilla-Barrack Point and Coffs Harbour.
Wins in the Open Male Board Race, Open Male Board Relay, Open Male Rescue Tube, U19 Male Surf Teams, U17 Male Beach Flags and U15 Male 2km Beach Run helped the senior club into third place on the rankings.
Not to be outdone by the boys, Cudgen’s senior female competitors were well represented by Elena Leaver, Madison Blue Beckerleg and Kendal Fitzgibbon who competed in everything from the Surf Race to the Beach Flags and picked up a swag of medals over the weekend, including gold in the U19 Female Surf Race, U19 Female Rescue Tube, U19 Female Beach Sprint and U19 Female Beach Flags.
The club’s depth was showcased in their second placing in the Open Male Taplin Relay behind Warilla Barrack Point who established a big lead early in the race after securing a wave in the first discipline of the event.
A big effort by Scott MaCartney and Angus McPhail in the board legs saw the margin narrow to a sprint up the beach.
For the first time in the club’s history, Cudgen’s Male Beach and Water teams combined to take first and second in the Open Male Beach Relay competition.
Worthy of note was the effort by some of the Jnr U14 competitors in stepping up to the senior ranks to have a go in the U15 Age group events.
Meanwhile the club’s State Committee met with delegates from NSW State Surf Lifesaving on Tuesday, January 24 to finalise plans for the upcoming State Titles scheduled to be held on Kingscliff Beach between March 2 and 11.
Cudgen is looking for volunteers to help with the many tasks associated with organising the event which includes everything from manning the BBQs, assisting with setting up tents and traffic control.
Anyone wishing to volunteer their services can register their interest at the Club or leave their details with the Club Secretary Manager on 02 6674 1573.
