SURF
SPORTS
REPORT
It has been a season of highs, lows and new beginnings.
Early in the season, we had to find a Club Coach after Robert
Chapman stepped down after six years. We were keen to bring a
Coach who delivered the same level of professionalism that Chapo
brought to the program. Fortuitously two coaches were available,
Jackson Doolan as the Board Coach and Joel Bevilacqua as the Ski
Coach. Both grew up in surf sports and have won Australian Gold
medals. Jackson and Joel brought energy, enthusiasm, and a great
knowledge of surf sports to our program. The progression of our
competitors this season is a result of their combined coaching.
The highlights of results for the season include:
•
First place – 2023 NSW Masters Pool Rescue Championships
•
First place – 2023 Australian Masters Pool Rescue
Championships
•
First place – 2024 SLSS Branch Lifesaving Championships
•
Second place – 2024 SLSS Branch Masters Championships
•
Second place – 2024 NSW Masters Water and Beach
Championships
•
First place – 2024 NSW Masters Overall Championships
•
First place – 2024 Australian Masters Surf Life Saving
Championships
The NSW Board Riding Championships were held at North Avoca
in May 2023 and the team brought home Gold, Silver and Bronze
medals.
The IRB racing team had the largest growth over the past three
years with 35 competitors. Coaches Nixy and Ronny Krite have
done an excellent job of coaching the team, mentoring younger
competitors and expanding the skills of all our IRB drivers and
crew. Last winter the team won Bronze medals in Masters Events
at both the NSW and Australian IRB Racing Championships.
Besides winning the 2023 Australian Pool Rescue Masters
Championships in Southport Queensland, the team broke five
Australian records and Dori Miller set a world record. Ethan
Garland and Dori Miller were again selected to the NSW team to
compete in the Interstate Championships. Thank you to Ethan
Garland who ran coaching sessions.
Jayson Lincoln returned for another season as beach sprints
coach working on technique, fitness and the ever-important
relay handovers. The beach section attended the Beach Stormers
series and other soft sand carnivals throughout the season.
The 2024 Sydney Branch Championships were held at Maroubra
Beach in late February. Our open competitors were tested with
big surf conditions. The surf and weather the next day were
much nicer for the champion lifesavers and masters competitors.
Our open team competed at the Summer of Surf carnivals held at
Manly in January and North Bondi in February which draw the top
athletes and is, in effect, a mini-Aussies. At the North Bondi event, we
had three competitors make the finals and we had a team race in the
open mixed taplin relay.
The 2024 NSW Masters Championships were held at Queenscliff,
North Steyne and Freshwater. Again, competitors were met with big
surf conditions which made for some very challenging races. Bondi
SBLSC was named the Masters Overall Champion club, beating North
Bondi SLSC by nine points with Manly LSC coming in third place.
Dori Miller
Director of Surf Sports
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BONDI SURF BATHERS’ LIFE SAVING CLUB