Aussies 2018 – SLSA's Wrap
April 23, 2018
By Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA)
The 2018 Aussies in WA turned back the sands of time on a history-making week on Scarborough Beach which saw some the fiercest finishes in over a century of Australian Championship competition.
All eyes are always on the premier ironman and ironwoman finals and they didn’t disappoint with the arrival of new champions in Manly’s Kendrick Louis and Noosa’s Lana Rogers – winning the coveted titles for their respective clubs for the very first time.
Northcliffe, with their virtually unstoppable Under 19s on the warpath and champion swimmer Bailey Armstrong winning the male competitor of the carnival took out a record-continuing 14th straight overall pointscore with 360 points from Newport (258) and Kurrawa (153).
Armstrong left Perth with his pockets lined with gold after his winning efforts in the Under 19 surf and belt double and Under 19 and Open surf teams and an agonising one that got away after he led till the last metres of the open surf race – only to be swamped by his rivals on a wave.
Female competitor of the carnival again went to Jemma Smith, the amazing Under 19 competitor from Umina on the NSW Central Coast who continues to turn her hand to everything – winning nine medals – two gold in the Under 19 Champion Lifesaver and Under 19 single ski; four silvers in the Under 19 ironwoman, open single ski, under 19s board race and board relay and three bronze medals in the Under 19 Taplin Relay, Rescue Tube Rescue and surf race.
While in the boat area Bateman’s Bay won the club’s first ever A grade final over former champions North Cronulla and Avoca and Northcliffe’s open women’s boat crew completed the mother of all seasons by taking out the gold medal ahead of Lorne and Palm Beach (NSW).
Sweep Damien Clayphan’s crew of Sara Watson, Tara Townsend, Penelope Hamilton and Rachel Clayphan are all mums, and Townsend and Hamilton both gave birth in the past 12 months.
And there were unprecedented scenes of celebration after the final event of the major water finals on Saturday afternoon when the Currumbin Vikings turned back the clock 40 years to win an emotional fourth Australian Taplin Relay title – the race all clubs value so much.
In a heartfelt interview after the win – that saw two members of the club’s under 19 winning team, Ky Kinsella and Corey Fletcher play key roles in the open victory, the club’s president Ben Munro dedicated the win to three club stalwarts John Munro, Annie Owen and Bonnie Alchin who had passed away during the 2017-18 season.
Club members swamped final paddler Fletcher who staved off challengers from Trigg island and Newport to claim a special victory with Kinsella, the kid from Coffs Harbour and other team members Hayden White, Jackson Maynard, Jayden Erskine and Joey Engel, prompting Munro to declare: “Last time we won it in 1978 with a team led by an Olympian (Steve Holland) and world champions, this time we’ve done it with a bunch of kids.”
There was also a history-making moment when the club’s latest Stawell Gift winner, Elizabeth Forsyth became the first female or male in Aussies history to win the open beach sprint and beach flags double in a competitive beach area with Kurrawa and Sorrento in dominant form.
The beach area also saw Sorrento’s favourite son Jackson Symonds become the fourth man to win four open beach sprint titles, the last man former Manly rugby league Kangaroo winger Nick Yakich in 1965.
The other two four-time winners were Manly’s Rex Phillips from 1932 to 1935 and another North Narrabeen legend, John Bliss, whose first two titles came in 1946 and 1947, and the next two were in 1952 and 1953.
For ironman winner Louis it has taken him a decade to turn his under 19 Australian titles from 2008 an 2009 into open gold a decade later – again berating Ali Day as he did back in ’09 and eight time champion Shannon Eckstein.
Taking a leaf out of unstoppable US swimmer Kate Ledecky’s book, 27-year-old Louis wanted to lead from the outset and that’s what he did from his opening heat until he crossed the line to add his name among the greats – but the first from the famous Manly club in the 50 odd year history of the event.
Fellow Manly paddler Stu McLachlan won his fourth open board final in a sky blue quinella with Harrison Stone, declaring his retirement after a great career than puts him third behind the greats Mick Porra (six) and Trevor Hendy (five).
Rogers, the 22-year-old daughter of two-time Olympian and former Clovelly surfing great Greg Rogers, was the popular pick all weekend and delivered in spades with what was close to the perfect race – dominating through all disciplines and winning Noosa’s first ever ironwoman crown since the first one in 1992 won by South Maroubra’s Sam O’Brien.
She raced away to beat two-time winner, Commonwealth Games champion swimmer Rebecca Creedy, who announced her retirement from professional ironwoman racing after her sterling silver with emerging Under 19 champion Lizzie Welborn (North Bondi) taking the bronze.
The golden Aussies for Noosa started with a dramatic history-making open surf race win to Australian open water champion Nick Sloman, who came from behind to snatch the gold with one final lunge over another open water star, Simon Huitenga (City of Perth) to start a string of dramatic finishes.
On the swim home it was Northcliffe’s own open water star Armstrong who had opened up what appeared to be an unassailable lead – getting to his feet, wading and then being caught by a wave that included Sloman, and fellow open water stars, defending champion Ollie Signorini (Newport) and 17-year-old Hayden Cotter (Maroochydore) who had already won his age group surf race and 2km swim.
All five got to their feet in a charge to finish and Sloman, coached by a former Maroubra surf star in John Rodgers (brother of the legendary Barry Rodgers) who added his name to the immortals like Ky Hurst and the great 1956 Olympian Jon Donohoe who had won the title 60 years ago, also at Scarborough Beach.
And the gold for Noosa and coach, ironman legend Darren Mercer, didn’t stop there when the popular picks delivered again to take out the women’s Taplin Relay with Rogers swimming ability truly matched by Jordan Mercer’s epic start on the ski and Electra Outram’s final leg on the board.
It was an all Sunshine Coast finish with Maroochydore and Alexandra Headlands making it an all Sunny Coast podium.
It was a successful weekend for the Maroochy nursery with the Black Swans – led by swim star Hayden Cotter (with wins in the Under 17 surf race and 2km swim) and all-rounder Tiarnee Massie (Under 17 leading the club to a seven-gold medal haul and the Under 17s trophy and a very bright future.
Alex combined all their resources to win the Lifesaver Relay with Steve Davies and his women’s boat crew combining with Jett Kenny (board), James Porter (ski), Cooper Williams (swim) and Thomas Baker (sprint).
While Noosa Heads had their share of glory, honours on Super Saturday in Scarborough saw the Vikings not only claim the Under 19 and open men’s Taplin but saw Prue Davies win the club’s first open women’s surf race and he rescue tube rescue – showing expert surfing skills to snatch the surf race gold after Noosa’s Kareena Lee had led into the wave area.
And not to be left out were dynamic Elouera board rescue team of Christopher King and Jake Evans won gold for the third year in a row in the Under 19s event, having previously won the Under 17 board rescue in 2016 and 2017.
Avalon Beach also had a great day in the boat area, claiming two gold medals, in the Reserve Grade final ahead of Collaroy and Ocean Beach and in the under-19 division ahead of Noosa Heads and Dicky Beach.
Palm Beach (NSW) won the surf boat relay earlier in the carnival and the club’s men’s under-23 crew won another gold medal, finishing ahead of Torquay and Caves Beach.
While one of the great surf boat clubs, Queenscliff with a remarkable sweeping effort from former National double ski champion Damien Daley, won the under-19 championship after doctors had told him he could never paddle a ski again and he turned his hand to sweeping.
His late father and Queenscliff immortal and champion boat sweep Peter Daley sure would be proud.
2018 AUSTRALIAN SURF LIFESAVING CHAMPIONSHIPS, Scarborough Beach, WA, Open Results:
Legend: Alexandra Headland (Alex), Albany (Albany), Anglesea (A’sea), Arcadian (Arcad), Bellambi (Bella), Brighton (B’ton, SA), Bilgola (Bilg), Binningup (B’up), Bondi (Bondi), Bribie Island (Bribie), Brunswick Heads (Bruns), Bundaberg (B’berg), Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park (Burl), Byron Bay (Byron), Bronte (Bron), City of Perth (City), Currumbin (Curr), Coogee (Coog), Coogee Beach WA (Coog B), Cronulla (Cron), Cott (Cottesloe), Coolum (Coolum) , Coolangatta (C’gatta), Collaroy (Coll), Cudgen Headland (Cudgen H), Esperance-Goldfields (Esp-G), Elouera (Elou), Fairhaven (F’Haven), Freshwater (Fresh), Fremantle (Frem), Glenelg (Glen), Grange (Gran), Henley (Henl) Hampton (Hamp) Helensburgh-Stanwell Park (Hel Stan Pk) Jan Juc (Jan Juc), Kurrawa (Kurr), Lennox Head-Alstonville (Lennox A’ville), Long Reef (L Reef), Lorne (Lorne), MacMasters Beach (MacM), Manly (Manly), Maroochydore (Maroochy), Maroubra (M’bra), Mermaid Beach (Merm B), Metropolitan Caloundra (Mel Cal), Mentone (M’tone), Mollymook (Molly), Mooloolaba (Mool), Mullaloo (Mull), Mudjimba (Mudj), Newport (N’port), Noosa Heads (Noosa), North Avoca (N Avoca), Northcliffe (N’cliffe), North Burleigh (N Burl), North Cottesloe (N Cott), North Cronulla (N Cron), North Steyne (N Steyne), Palm Beach (Palm B NSW), Ocean Grove (O Grove), Palm Beach (Palm B QLD), Point Leo (Pt Leo), Port Noarlunga (Pt Noar), Queenscliff (Queens), Quinns Mindarie (Quinns M), Redhead (R’head), St Kilda (St Kilda), Scarboro (Scarb), Seacliff (S’cliff), Shellharbour (Shell), South Curl Curl (Sth CC), South Maroubra (S M’bra), Southport (S’port), Surfers Paradise (Surfers P), Swansea Belmont (Swan Bel), Sorrento (Sorr, WA), Sunshine Beach (S’shine B), Swanbourne Nedlands (Swan Ned), Soldiers Beach (Soldiers) Tallebudgera (Talle), Terrigal (Terr),Thirroul (Thir), The Lakes (The Lakes), Toowoon Bay (T’woon B), Torquay (Torq), Trigg island (Trigg), Tweed Heads & Coolangatta (TH&C), Umina (Umina), Wanda (Wanda), Warilla Barrack Point (War BP), West Beach (W Beach)
Male
Surf Race:
Open: N Sloman (Noosa), S Huitenga (City), H Cotter (Maroochy).
U19: B Armstrong (N’cliffe), R Clout (N’cliffe), T Wilson (N’cliffe).
U17: H Cotter (Maroochy), Z Morris (N’port), H Came (Cron). Over 24 Restricted: S Huitenga (City), L Ryan (N Burl), L Allan (N’cliffe).
Surf Team:
Open: Northcliffe, Newport, Surfers Paradise.
U19: Northcliffe A, Northcliffe B, City of Perth.
U17: Maroochydore, Newport, Umina.
Ironman:
Open: K Louis (Manly), A Day (Surfers P), S Eckstein (N’cliffe).
U19: M Coombes (N’cliffe), C Williams (Alex), T Gallagher (City).
U17: Z Morris (N’port), B Hessel (Umina), A Palmer (Maroochy).
Beach sprint:
Open: J Symonds (Sorr, WA), J Caldow (Curr), C Loughnan (Kurr).
U19: C Rigby (Sorr, WA), M Hanna (Elou), J Smith (Wanda).
U17: S Zustovich (Molly), C Scrivens (Grange), J Musika (Coog B).
Beach Flags:
Open: B Drysdale (N’port), J Gough (Kurr), J Lynch (N’port).
U19: B Scrivener (Molly), S Beale (A’sea), M Hanna (Elou).
U17: S Zustovich (Molly), L Alleyne (Bribie), T Baker (Alex).
Beach relay:
Open: Currumbin, Kurrawa, Newport.
U19: Sorrento (WA), Wanda, Kurrawa.
U17: Grange, Sorrento (WA), Coogee Beach (WA).
2km Beach Run
Open: A Najem (Wanda), J Andersen (Elou), N Thompson (Cott).
U19: H Miller (Mermaid), N Thompson (Cott), L Crawford (Wanda)
U17: C Verco (N Bondi), J Collins (N’cliffe), B Hillen (Mull)
Taplin Relay:
Open: Currumbin, Trigg Island, Newport.
U19: Currumbin: Northcliffe B, Northcliffe A.
U17: North Bondi, Newport, North Cronulla.
Single Ski:
Open: W Bain (Mool), M Trim (N’port), R Fitzsimmons (Avoca).
U19: J Collins (N Bondi), E Neville (Manly), Z Havard (N Bondi),
U17: N Havard (N Bondi), F Armstrong (Avoca), W Jones (Byron).
Double Ski:
Open: Trigg Island, North Burleigh, Northcliffe.
U19: North Bondi, Trigg Island, Newport.
Ski Relay:
Open: Manly, Trigg Island, Avoca Beach.
U19: North Bondi, Manly, Avoca Beach.
U17: N Havard (N Bondi), F Armstrong (Avoca), W Jones (Byron).
Board:
Open: S McLachlan (Manly), H Stone (Manly), M Bevilacqua (Kurr).
U19: H McAlpine (N’port), C Guthrie (Alex), C King (Elou).
U17: J Murphy (Swan Bel), S Frost (Curr), W Taylor (N’cliffe).
Board Relay
Open: Northcliffe, Surfers Paradise, Newport.
U19: City of Perth, Alexandra Headland, North Cronulla.
U17: Maroochydore, Kurrawa, Swansea Belmont.
Board rescue:
Open: Wanda, Noosa Heads, Newport.
U19: Elouera, Northcliffe, Newport.
U17: Northcliffe, Maroochydore, Avoca Beach.
Surf Boat:
Open: Batemans Bay, North Cronulla, Avoca
U23: Palm Beach, Torquay, Caves Beach.
Reserve: Elouera, North Bondi, Mona Vale
U19: Queenscliff, North Cronulla, South Curl Curl.
2km Ocean Swim:
Open: N Sloman (Noosa), B Armstrong (N’cliffe), S Huitenga (City).
U19: T Wilson (N’cliffe), R Clout (N’cliffe), C Guthrie (Bondi).
U17: H Cotter (Maroochy), H Came (Cron), L Kaye (N’port).
5 Person R & R:
Open: Coogee, Wanda, Freshwater.
Champion Lifesaver:
Open: M White (Alex), B Doughan (Alex), L Allan (N’cliffe).
U19: J Moore (N’cliffe), C Cumner (Alex), C Linton (Alex).
U17: R Zikarsky (Maroochy), B Regan (Mool), J Jenkins (N Steyne).
Rescue Tube Rescue:
Open: Northcliffe, Mermaid Beach, Trigg Island.
U19: Northcliffe, North Cronulla, Kurrawa.
Surf Belt:
Open: J Carberry (Burl), D Little (R’head), B Rodgers (N Burl).
U19: B Armstrong (N’cliffe), L Vitnell (Cronulla), T Ford (Cronulla).
U17: Z Morris (N’port), W Taylor (N’cliffe), J Sergis (N’cliffe).
Board Riding:
Open: J Davies (Cott), G Frost (Curr), T Morgan (Sorr, WA).
U19: D Lewin (Trigg), T Nott (Wanda), O Line (Cott).
U17: J Schram (Torq), F Armstrong (Avoca), R Thomson (Alex).
Longboard:
Open: J Davies (Cott), A Carroll (Bondi), R Thomson (Alex).
Female
Surf Race:
Open: P Davies (Curr), G Miller (N’port), H Brown (N’cliffe),
U19: L Taylor (N’cliffe), N Scott (Manly), J Smith (Umina).
U17: T Massie (Maroochy), K Fittock (Wanda), E Outram (Noosa).
Over 24 Restricted: H Brown (N’cliffe), B Hancock (Kurr), J White (War BP).
Surf Team:
Open: Northcliffe, Noosa Heads, Kurrawa.
U19: Northcliffe, Wanda, Kurrawa.
U17: Maroochydore, North Bondi, Sunshine Beach.
Ironwoman:
Open: L Rogers (Noosa), R Creedy (Kurr), L Welborn (N Bondi).
U19: L Welborn (N Bondi), J Smith (Umina), N Scott (Manly).
U17: N Owen (R’head), J Prowse (N’port), M Ward (Manly).
Beach sprint:
Open: E Forsyth (Curr), N Kay (Kurr), B Masters (Kurr).
U19: S McGovern (Coog), T Stickler (Kurr), N Hadfield (Cron).
U17: C Mannix-Power (Cron), S Welsh (Kurr), S Rafferty (Sorr, WA).
Beach Flags:
Open: E Forsyth (Curr), B Masters (Kurr), O Eaton (Curr).
U19: K Lewis (Molly), N Hadfield (Cron), J Yew (Thir).
U17: A Rampoldi (N Cron), L Rampoldi (N Cron) M McWilliam (Alex).
Beach relay:
Open: Kurrawa, Currumbin, City of Perth.
U19: Kurrawa, Currumbin, Sorrento (WA).
U17: Sorrento (WA), Alexandra Headland, Kurrawa.
2km Beach Run:
Open: E Coates (N’cliffe), B Williams (Swan Ned), M Simmonds (Swan Ned).
U19: S Hogan (N Cott), L Costello (R’head), E Trinca (S’port).
U17: H Jones (Scarb), C Murray (Albany), Z Welborn (N Bondi).
Taplin relay:
Open: Noosa Heads, Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland.
U19: Wanda: Northcliffe, Umina.
U17: Sunshine Beach, Redhead, Wanda.
Single Ski:
Open: D McKenzie (N’cliffe), J Smith (Umina), B Hancock (Kurr).
U19: J Smith (Umina), N Scott (Manly), B Wildin-Snedden (Kurr).
U17: A Fay (Maroochy), O Emanuel (Sunshine), J Massie (Maroochy).
Ski relay:
Open: Newport, Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park, Northcliffe.
U19: Northcliffe, Alexandra Headland, Newport.
U17: Maroochydore, Newport, Northcliffe.
Double Ski:
Open: Northcliffe, Alexandra Headland, Wanda.
U19: Alexandra Headland, Maroochydore, Mermaid Beach.
Board:
Open: H Brown (N’cliffe), J Mercer (Noosa), D McKenzie (N’cliffe).
U19: L Welborn (N Bondi), J Smith (Umina), B Wildin-Snedden (Kurr).
U17: N Owen (R’Head), G Harris (Torq), Z Hughes (N’cliffe).
Board relay:
Open: Newport, Northcliffe, Manly.
U19: Kurrawa, Umina, North Bondi.
U17: Redhead, Sunshine Beach, Newport.
Board rescue:
Open: Manly, Northcliffe, Newport.
U19: Kurrawa, Wanda, Northcliffe.
U17: Sunshine Beach, Newport, Wanda.
Surf Boat:
Open: Northcliffe, Lorne, Palm Beach (NSW).
U23: North Cronulla, Newport, Palm Beach (NSW).
Reserve: Avalon Beach, Collaroy, Ocean Beach.
U19: Avalon Beach, Noosa Heads, Dicky Beach.
Here's a wrap from Ashley Cardiff, Avalon Beach SLSC - Wow what an exciting day at the beach for the final day of competition in the boat area. Finals were held today in the U 19 women, U 23 men and Reserves and Open divisions in both men and women.
The day started with the Pinkies and DB's being eliminated in the quarter finals, some great crews in both divisions and a fantastic effort by both crews. The Towballs then went into battle and were also knocked out in the 2nd round quarter final, top 16. Well done also.
Then the excitement really stepped up when the Chanels' entered the water for their first Aussie final. The girls rowed extremely well and got over the top of some highly fancied crews to claim the gold medal. The crew of Ella Brady, Sophie Jones, Robyn Husband, Imogen Ponton and sweep Rick Millar did a great job. Congratulations.
The Bandits then also qualified for the final after dominating their division during the day. Ash Norman, Rachel Strong, Rebecca Elliott, Ellie Mackay and sweep Pete Carter were very strong starting. The girls had a rough journey to sea but recovered well to also cross the line in first place.
Australian Champions in 2 divisions of racing in one day. No other club managed this feat today. Also a shout out to all the helpers and boat handlers who did a great job supporting all crews.
U19: Avalon Beach Winners; Imogen Ponton, Ella Brady, Sophie Jones, Robyn Husband, sweep Rick Millar
2km Ocean Swim:
Open: K Lee (Noosa), H Gan (City), A Smiroldo (N’cliffe).
U19: J Slee (Merm B), O Corrin (N’cliffe), I Rees (N’cliffe).
U17: M Louw (N’port), E Holyman (Merm B), K Fittock (Wanda).
5 Person R & R:
Open: Freshwater, Collaroy, North Cronulla.
Champion Lifesaver:
Open: K Thornton (Alex), P Savage (N’port), T Jakubans (City).
U19: J Smith (Umina), E Rudland (TH&C), M Murphy (Umina).
U17: K Miller (Umina), Sarah McGrath (Maroochy) E Thornton (Queens).
Rescue Tube Rescue
Open: Currumbin, Northcliffe, Maroochydore.
U19: Cudgen Headland, Avoca Beach, Umina.
Surf Belt:
Open: G Miller (N’port), B Heilbronn (Alex), T Raymond (Burl).
U19: C Rose Slaven (Burl), M Bellero (Alex), O Corrin (N’cliffe).
U17: C Connor (Kurr), A Warne (Cudgen H), M Thomson (Trigg).
Board riding:
Open: D Air (Thir), T Smith (N’cliffe), L McEwan (Denmark).
U19: O Corrin (N’cliffe), H Lane (N Cron). A Moran (N’port).
U17: D Air (Thir), S Boyd (Cudgen H), E Sillar (Queens).
Longboard: T Smith (N’cliffe), D Air (Thirroul), L McEwan (Denmark).
Mixed
Lifesaver relay: Alexandra Headland, Northcliffe, Newport.
6 Person Curlewis R & R: Wanda, Freshwater, Collaroy.
5 Person R & R:
Open: Freshwater, Wanda, Collaroy.
U19: Anglesea, North Cronulla, Coogee.
U17: Coogee, Seacliff.
Double Ski: Half Moon Bay, Avoca Beach, Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park.
Mixed First Aid:
Open: City of Perth, Freshwater B, Freshwater A.
U19: Newport, City of Perth, Maroochydore.
U17: Noosa Heads, Umina, Maroochydore.
Mixed Patrol Competition:
Open: Alexandra Headland, Northcliffe, Freshwater.
U17: Noosa Heads, Jan Juc, Newport.
Surf Boat Relay: Palm Beach, Avoca Beach, Currumbin.
Overall Pointscore
Northcliffe 360
Newport 258
Kurrawa 153
Maroochydore 146
Currumbin 134
Alexandra Headland 132
North Bondi 111
Wanda 107
Manly 85
Noosa Heads 82.
Newport, Newport, Newport, Newport!
Congratulations to Newport's Nick Carroll & Mark Ansiewicz taking out GOLD in the 55-59 Male Board Rescue.
Congratulations to Newport's Masters Beach Team; Ted Smithies - GOLD in sprints and BRONZE for the men's relay team of Ted Smithies, Martin Lynch, Stephen Hatch, Tristan Conn
Congratulations to Warriewood's Adam Gee for GOLD in the 45-49 Beach Sprint
Congratulations to Warriewood's Adam Gee, Christopher Macdonald, Ben Hargy, Glen Bauder for taking GOLD in the 170 yrs min Male Beach Relay
Congratulations to Mona Vale's Sophie Stokes for securing GOLD in the 40-44 Beach Sprint and to MVSLSC's Kristyn Monnock, Sophie Stokes, Paula Tocquer for their BRONZE in the 130 yrs min Female Single Ski Relay and same again in the 40-44 Female Board Rescue for Kristyn Monnock, Sophie Stokes, BRONZE for Kristyn Monnock in the 45-49 Female Board Race, also Kristyn Monnock, Paula Tocquer for BRONZE in the 45 Yrs and Over Female Double Ski and 45-49 Female Beach Flags BRONZE winner Kristyn Monnock.
Congratulations to Mona Vale's Bryce Munro for his SILVER in the 40-44 Male Single Ski
Sophie, Paula, Kristyn
Congratulations to Warriewood's Louise Barnett, Tanya Deer, Alex Coates, Kathryn Maguire (The Rustys) and sweep Russel Lamb for GOLD in the 200 years Masters Female surf Boat and to Donna Wishart, Beverley Tilbury, Kerry Mcewan, Kate Munro (Avalon Beach Antiques) for securing the SILVER!
Warriewood Rusty's win GOLD!
Further to this story, and for those who have already read Aussies 2018: The Mass Exodus West! in Pittwater Online's pre Aussies Issue:
In an outstanding display of good sportsmanship and Aussie mateship Jeff Nesbitt, Ashley Cardiff and son Blake towing Avalon Beach SLSC's surfboats to the Australian SLSA Titles in Perth, turned back after crossing the Nullabor Plains to help out opposition surfboat competitors from Warriewood SLSC who had broken down in the middle of the Nullabor ...a round trip of 200 kilometres for the Avalon boys.
Jeff said
"We were at Eucla at the end of the Nullabor. Warriewood broke down exactly half way across. We drove back 100km to pick them up plus their boat and drove 100km back to Eucla.
In the morning the towie took them back to their car then continued east back to Ceduna to put the car in for repair. They bought another car and drove back across the Nullarbor to pick up their boat. All good...☺"
Jeff, Ash and Blake said they were happy to help out.
Considering this was their 6th straight day of driving, it was a pretty good effort all round and a credit to our boaties.
All boats Avalon and Warriewood are in Perth now ready to compete.
Whatever the outcome of the competition in the surf. and Avalon Beach is hoping to do well in both women's and men's crews.. these Avalon Beach boys are already winners! - Roger Sayers ABSLSC Life Member and Publicity Officer.
Bilgola secure SILVER in 200 men (Norman Pounder, Mark Parsons, Grant Jacobs, Garett Smith) and Long Reef won gold in 260 men (Peter Kinsey, David Sams, Malcolm Maccormick, Robert Pearson) . Photos courtesy Donna Wishart, SLS NSW
2018 Aussies Results: Surf Boats
The ASRL would like to congratulate the following crews who made the final of the 2018 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships!
Open Men
1 – Batemans Bay
2 – North Cronulla Purds
3 – Avoca Beach Z Crew
4 – South Curl Curl Deathriders
DNF – Bulli Gelcon
DNF – Collaroy Garricks
Open Women
1 – Northcliffe Krankits
2 – Lorne Edge
3 – Palm Beach (NSW) Patriots
4 – North Cronulla Bluey
5 – Tallebudgera Kaylews
6 – Torquay Lightning
Reserve Men
1 – Elouera Wilko
2 – North Bondi Knock Abouts
3 – Mona Vale Black
4 – Gerringong Naps
5 – Queenscliff Red
6 – Batemans Bay
Reserve Women
1 – Avalon Beach Bandits
2 – Collaroy Knickers
3 – Ocean Beach
4 – North Cottesloe 7ft Jiffs
5 – Palm Beach (QLD) Vixons
6 – Henley NicNatBreros
Under 23 Men
1 – Palm Beach (NSW) Paperclips
2 – Torquay Pirates
3 – Caves Beach Meat Trays
4 – North Cronulla Funky
5 – North Cottesloe Yeah The Boys
6 – Bulli Basil Spice
Under 23 Women
1 – North Cronulla Juggernauts
2 – Newport Whiprays
3 – Palm Beach (NSW) Peas
4 – Avalon Beach Avocados
5 – North Bondi Shredders
6 – North Cronulla Funky
Under 19 Men
1 – Queenscliff 10 Dollar Steaks
2 – North Cronulla Young Guns
3 – South Curl Curl Slickers
4 – Avoca Beach Doggies
5 – South Curl Curl Sneakies
6 – Palm Beach (NSW) Pickles
Under 19 Women
1 – Avalon Beach Chanels
2 – Noosa Scrub Turkey
3 – Dicky Beach Tooshies
4 – Queenscliff Daleys
5 – Avoca Beach Vagabonds
6 – Alexandra Headlands BOQ Buderim
The Palmy Army at 2018 Aussies!