The Australian Surf Life Saving Titles were the highlight and culmination of a
great Surf Sports season.
The Sunshine Coast Surf Clubs of Mooloolaba and Maroochydore played host
to this year’s Australian Championships. We had close to 100 competitors who
made the trek north.
With fantastic conditions on the first day for board riding and the 2km ocean
swim, the team was off to the perfect start we wanted. Medals of all colours
were in abundance as were the minor placings for point score.
We had our first of three team dinners on Sunday night at Mooloolaba Bowls
Club. Most of the team was there. Many of our Long Service Members made an
effort to be part of the dinner including Terry and Jimmy Ryan, Peter Stapleton
and Norm Neeld. A great evening was had by all.
The week of the Championships became chaotically busy with two days of
Masters competition followed by five days of Open competition. A vast range
of weather and surf conditions challenged the team throughout the week.
In particular, some massive surf through open competition challenged the
competitors’ abilities and nerves to the utmost.
The highlight of the week was winning our seventh consecutive National
Masters point score title and the infectious growth and motivation our Open
Team was displaying.
Managing a team this size is a complex operation with the logistics of
transporting as much craft as we have interstate, putting up five tents along
the beach and providing IRBs, officials and building teams, just to name a
few of the things that need doing. Many people gave solid assistance in the
master plan of this operation but above and beyond were Dori Miller and Steve
Hackers. These two have done so much that many wouldn’t even know about,
thank you to you both.
Congratulations to all involved. It was a memorable Australian Championships
by all standards.
CHAMPIONSHIPS
REPORT
Nick Nezval
Touring Team Manager
64
BONDI SURF BATHERS’ LIFE SAVING CLUB