Central Coast’s nippers travelled north to compete in the 2019 NSW Surf Life Saving State Age Championships at Swansea Belmont SLSC which was held on Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd March.
Tricky surf conditions tested competitors and event organisers with water areas closed at various times throughout the event due to safety concerns.
Central Coast finished with seven (7) out of fifteen (15) surf clubs delivering podium finishes. The most prized of those medals was a gold medal to Wamberal SLSC who won the All Age Board Relay which is regarded as one of the most prestigious events of the Championships. It’s the first time Wamberal SLSC has won this event giving the club a lot to cheer about.
In their final year competing as nippers, the U14 division was the standout age group for the Central Coast.
It was fitting to see Emylyn Wheeler of Terrigal win the U14 Female Beach sprint after winning the sprint at state in her age group on previous occasions and finishing in the top two in this event every year since the U8’s. She also finished a close second in the U14 flags and was a member of Terrigal’s U14 mixed beach relay who finished first and U14 Female beach relay who came third.
Avoca Beach SLSC were also dominant in the U14’s age group both on the beach and in the water. Natalia Drobot won the U14 Board Race, while Declan Richardson won the U14 Male Beach Sprint. The U14 male Beach relay defended their title from last season while Avoca’s Female Board Relay finished also finished in 1st.
Other standout performers winning individual gold medals included Josephine Kendal (Avoca) U9 Board Race, Will Tebb (Avoca) – U10 Board Race, Sienna Pitcher (Terrigal) – U11 1KM Beach Run, Sienna Scahill (Umina) – U12 1Km Beach Run and Noah Nakagawa (Wamberal) – U13 Beach Sprint.
The focus will now turn towards the NSW Surf Life Saving Masters and Open State Championships which will be held between 6-10 March, also at Swansea Belmont SLSC.
