The Surf Life Saving Central Coast Representative Team competed against some quality competition from Northern Region New Zealand and Country NSW in the Trans-Tasman Tri Series. The bi-annual Series runs over three rounds and this year was hosted by Surf Life Saving Central Coast and held at:
North Avoca – 4th January
Umina – 5th January
MacMasters Beach – 7th January
Leading from the front was James Koch and Bailey Johns, fresh from outstanding performances at the recent Lifesaving World Championships in Adelaide where both competitors brought home medals.
Combining with a strong male contingent including Zac Van Dartel along with young guns Blake Hessel and Lachlan Braddish, were undefeated in the Male Surf Teams at all three rounds and finished with two wins and a second place in the Male Ironperson Teams from the three rounds.
Johns and Van Dartel showed their diverse talents by teaming up with Jack Merriman to dominate the male Beach Sprint Teams, winning all three rounds of this event.
Female Team Captain, Ella Beere was by far the standout female ski competitor, leading her team with wins in the Single Ski Teams at MacMasters and the Mixed Ski Relay in the first round at North Avoca.
She also teamed up with two of the Coast’s leading beach sprinters in Savanah Wheeler and Nicole Majsak to take out the Female Beach Flag Teams at two of the three rounds.
Another standout performer was Zoe Clarke who had a big program, contributing with wins in all three rounds of the U17 Ironperson. She also teamed up with Lily Cracknell and Georgia Ray to win two out of three Female Board Teams.
Despite some impressive racing from the Central Coast Competitors, the Country NSW team proved too strong this time around, winning all three rounds and taking out the overall Series point score. The Central Coast team shared second place with Northern Region New Zealand with both teams finishing equal second in the overall Series point score.
Surf Life Saving Central Coast CEO, Chris Parker, said the Series, now in its twenty seventh year was a huge success providing an important development pathway for local surf sports competitors.
“The Central Coast competitors can hold their heads up high. They performed admirably against some of New Zealand and Australia’s rising talents.”
“The Series continues to provide such an important development opportunity for our local competitors. To have three rounds of quality competition at this time of the year will provide our local competitors with beneficial physical and mental preparation leading into the State and Australian Championships.”
“It was fantastic to see the U17 competitors learn from the Opens and grow in confidence throughout the three rounds, which is exactly what the Series is about.”
The Series is a bi-annual event which will next be held in New Zealand in 2021.
Thank you to the wonderful Management for your hard work and dedication to the Team and the Series;
Head Coach (Water): Michael Magurren
Assistant Coach (Beach): Kenn Borgesson
Team Manager: Shelley Smith
Assistant Manager: Scott Cunningham
Our sincere thanks is also extended to the Series Referee, Rick Parsons and the team of officials, waters safety, host Clubs and all competitors.