Over the last few weekends the Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Branch Championships have been held at Newport (Opens Water and Juniors Water Events) Narrabeen (Juniors, Masters and Opens Beach Events) Dee Why (First Aid Competition)and Long Reef (Surf Boat Championships). The Masters Waters Events and Life Saving Events run at Dee Why on Saturday 18th finalise this year's Branch Championships and three weekends of spectacular carnivals.
Manly's strong Juniors have placed them first overall prior to the Masters and Life saving Championships taking place, while Newport's Opens, recent Summer of Surf victors, have won and won and won again this year. Mona Vale (261 points - 4th), Newport (225 points - 5th) and Avalon (132 points - 7th) Juniors have all placed in the top 10, securing points as well were the youngsters from Warriewood and Bilgola.
Queenscliff's very strong Masters Division lead in the Masters with Palm Beach SLSC's and Warriewood are sitting in second and third respectively. Mona Vale, Avalon and Bilgola also have Masters members and these all added to their club's overall point tally .
In Surf Boats Palm Beach SLSC has won the U23 Male, Open Male U23 Female, Open Female, Reserve Male, and placed 2nd in the Boat Relay. Bilgola's Gold women took 1st in the Reserve Female and the U19 Female. Pittwater crews have excelled in the Branch Point Score as well.
As always it's the hard work and support of all the volunteer officials on the sand and as Water Safety in the water all season long as much as at these larger carnivals, a camaraderie that makes an 'all one family' atmosphere that makes these events so great.
Results for all carnivals are here: http://surflifesaving.net.au/pages/surf-sports/latest-carnival-results.php
We share some of regular contributor Bernadette Johnson McAlinden's great snaps at the Long Reef Surf Boat carnival last weekend for those who missed seeing the action. Currently all the local boat crews are in Shellharbour for the Interstates Competition and the big Navy ASRL Open that runs until the end of today, Sunday February 19th. Then it's off to the Aussies!
