The 2023/24 season was a roller coaster of highs and lows for our
competition board paddlers. One would be forgiven for thinking the
competition season starts in October, though, for our dedicated paddlers,
although it really began in May, not too long after the previous season
ended.
At this time, many had begun planning their winter training to prepare
themselves to take on the iconic Coolangatta Gold race. After months
of braving cold winds and waters, our worlds were rocked by some
devastating news in the lead up to the race. It was with heavy hearts that
we farewelled the previous Board Captain and esteemed athlete Louise
Santos. Louise was an incredible woman, aside from her impressive medal
tally from years of competing, she was warm, welcoming and always
led by example. She was a brilliant leader of our board squad and many
of our paddlers can attribute their skills to her knowledge, patience and
encouragement. Her smile was dearly missed in the competition tents this
year though her spirit inspired Bondi SBLSC to progress toward several
strong competition results.
The winter season also brought some good news as we welcomed our
new board coach to the team: Jackson Doolan. Jackson is a current
Waverley Council Lifeguard, originally from the Sunshine Coast. He
competed as a youngster for Mooloolaba Surf Club at the highest level of
the sport. Jackson has a few national board titles to his name and hit the
ground running in his new coaching role, leading our morning board and
iron sessions throughout the season. Jackson hardly missed a minute of
competition across Opens and Masters this year and his words of wisdom
on the start line were appreciated by all.
Results began strongly in November with many of our athletes taking
on the Coolangatta Gold which, aside from a long ski, swim and run
leg, requires a 6.2km board paddle taking over four hours to complete.
Momentum then continued through many local carnivals before hitting
the meat of the season with the Sydney Branch Championships, NSW State
Championships and Australian Championships as well as two Summer of
Surf carnivals.
Overall I couldn’t be happier with the way the season progressed. Our
coached board seasons saw fantastic growth in our active training squad
and required us to create some new intermediate sessions for all our
budding competition board paddlers. A huge thank you to Blake Hatton,
Dan Rosado and Michael Hallam for their help in managing our developing
paddlers. I was most encouraged to watch some of our ex-Nippers
transition into the senior squad with growing attendance at training. The
Bondi SBLSC board squad from Cadets through to Masters has a lot of
potential and is in a great position to take on the 2024/25 season.
BOARD CAPTAIN’S
REPORT
Noah Kaplan
Board Captain
49
117TH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2023/24