Issue 21 - July 2015
A VERY HECTIC SEASON FOR OUR
VALUED LIFESAVERS
The 2014/15 Surf Life Saving season was
certainly a hectic one for our volunteer
lifesavers who patrol our 21 beaches from
Manly to North Palm Beach.
One of the most interesting statistics show that
there were 316 more rescues carried out than
in the previous season. The total number of
rescues was 1313.
Our 19,391 patrolling members play a
significant role keeping our beaches safe
and performed 155,125.5 hours patrolling our
beautiful beaches. It is estimated we had 3.09
million beachgoers.
There are times when our lifesavers put their
own lives at risk when swimmers are caught in
dangerous rips or just simply disobey the beach
conditions.
The number of first aid interventions increased
significantly by 1,013 compared to the previous
season. That was brought about by more blue
bottles being blown in.
A further 35,328 members of the public
benefitted from our proactive preventative
actions to avert potentially dangerous situations.
I must commend our lifesavers on behalf of
the wider community as all this is done on a
voluntary basis.
Each season the Branch awards our Clubs
a framed Rescue of the Month certificate for
exceptional rescues.
There are many exceptional rescues performed
and special mention must go to Bruce Kelly,
from the North Narrabeen Club, for his heroics
when he saved the lives of a father and his two
young children at Narrabeen Beach on February
13 this year.
The rescue won the State and National Rescue
of the Month and now the Dee Why RSL Branch
Rescue of the Year.
At our Awards of Excellence at Dee Why RSL
Club on June 26 we celebrated the many
achievements of our members in Life Saving,
Education and Surf Sports. And a special
mention to our seven new Life Members.
Congratulations to all those winners and good
luck to those who will attend the SLSNSW
Awards of Excellence in Sydney later next
month.
It was great to see a strong representation from
our local politicians-MP’s, the Hon Bronwyn
Bishop, Brad Hazzard and Rob Stokes, Manly
Mayor , Cr Jean Hay AM, Warringah Mayor, Cr
Michael Regan and Cr Kay Millar, represented
Pittwater Council.
Doug Menzies
President
NINE CHOSEN IN AUSTRALIAN SQUADS
Sydney Northern Beaches Branch has nine
athletes in contention to represent the Australian
open and youth teams at the World Life Saving
Championships in Holland next year.
Newport pair Georgia Miller and Kendrick Louis
and Collaroy’s Dean Scarff are in the Australian
open squad.
Manly’s Naomi Scott, Newport’s Kristie
Edwards, Charlie Brooks, Jackson Borg and
Isaac Smith and Queenscliff’s Callum LoweGriffiths have been selected in the youth squad.
Scott and Edwards, who both shone in under
15 water and beach events at the inaugural
National Youth championships on the Gold
Coast in April, are two of the youngest members
of the youth squad.
Both girls will gain valuable experience just
being involved in the squad.
www.surflifesaving.net.au
Picture: Georgia Miller
LONG REEF LIFESAVER THRIVES ON HELPING COMMUNITY
He’s the man of the moment in Surf Life
Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Branch.
Long Reef Surf Club member and local
builder Adam Kent won the prestigious URM
Life Saver of the Year Award at the Branch
Awards of Excellence at Dee Why RSL Club
on June 26. Adam will now represent the
Branch at the SLSNSW Awards of Excellence
in Sydney on August 29.
And to think Adam only got serious about
lifesaving again 10 years ago when his kids
became Nippers.
“I became an age manager and from then
everything just took off,’’ he said.
“Next was gear steward, then I was on the
committee and, after doing my Bronze, I
became a Trainer and Assessor.’’
Adam has since taken on the role of Nipper
co-ordinator and Director of Lifesaving. “It’s
about bringing the Club together and working
on patrols so we can do our core thing, which
is lifesaving and helping the community,’’
he said.
During winter, Adam is training on the jet
rescue ski and has plans to become a Duty
Officer.
Commenting on the award, he said: “It’s
unreal, it’s awesome and it’s about everything
why I joined the organisation.’’
The Dematic Young Life Saver of the Year saw
joint winners – Dee Why’s Adam Hockley and
Manly’s Sita Mason.
BIG NIGHT FOR
DEE WHY
“I really didn’t give myself much chance of
winning, although it was my fourth year in a
row as a finalist,’’ Adam said.
“I thought Sita would win it as she does so
much.’’
Adam is looking forward to become a Patrol
Captain at Dee Why next season and has
ambitions to later earn positions at Branch and
State.
It was certainly a big night for the Dee Why
Club.
Dee Why were Streets Most Outstanding Club
for the second year running, Most Outstanding
Club in Education and Matt Molinia was
named Northern Beaches Landrover
JaguarTrainer of the Year.
North Curl Curl also tasted their share of
glory. Louis Tassone was named the URM
Competition Official for the second successive
year , Clare Hagon was Northern Beaches
Landrover Jaguar Facilitator of the Year, Ray
Merton the Northern Beaches Landrover
Jaguar Assessor of the Year and Gary
Beauchamp, the Harry Ragan Award winner.
It was a first for Manly’s Mel Pelly when she
was named the Westfield Warringah Mall
Volunteer of the Year.
“It is really nice to be recognised and for the
work that I do above and beyond patrols,’’ Mel
said.
The Thredbo Initiative of the Year went to
South Curl Curl for the 100 boats, 100 years
Gallipoli re-enactment at Collaroy.
And the Dee Why RSL Rescue of the Year
went to North Narrabeen’s Bruce Kelly for
his heroics at Narrabeen Beach on Friday,
February 13.
During her speech, the Hon Bronwyn Bishop
referred to it (the rescue) as “Lucky Friday and
not Black Friday’’ when Bruce saved the lives
of Ross Hill and two of his children Yacoub
and Amelia who were being swept out to sea.
Bruce used his trusty old wave ski to rescue
them that evening. Bruce’s amazing efforts
received a standing ovation from the audience
at the Dee Why RSL Club.
North Narrabeen were also the Streets Most
Improved Club, jumping from 17th place last
year to eighth.
The Lipton Iced Tea Patrol Assessment
winners were North Steyne, an award they
also won the previous season.
Newport, as expected, cleaned up in Surf
Sports.
Trent Herring was the URM Coach of the Year,
Georgia Miller the Athlete of the Year, Charlie
Brooks the Young Athlete of the Year and
Newport Taplin teams (Open, under 19s and
17s) were Team of the Year.
Despite his strong involvement and
outstanding results with Manly before moving
to Newport last season, Herring had never
won the Coach of the Year before. ‘’It really is
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a big thrill but the athletes were the ones who
made me look good,’’ he said.
The URM Masters Athlete was Michael Kirkby
(Freshwater)
There were seven new Life Members –
Newport’s Michael King and Peter Finch,
Freshwater’s Lindsay Davis and Bob Asser,
Keith Abraham (North Steyne), Graham
Cook (Narrabeen Beach) and Brian Ward
(Queenscliff).
Pictures: Top: The new Sydney Northern
Beaches Life Saver of the Year … Long Reef’s
Adam Kent; Bottom: Joint winners of the
Young Life Saver of the Year Adam Hockley
(Dee Why) and Sita Mason (Manly) with Glen
Borg, of Dematic.
AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS
Mel Pelly with Westfield’s Scott Moore
Matt Molinia
Rebecca Chapman (North Steyne)
The MOC finalists
Hero Bruce Kelly
Louis Tassone Clare Hagon Ray Merton
www.surflifesaving.net.au
NEWPORT DOMINATE SURF SPORTS
Charlie Brooks Trent Herring
Newport Taplin Representatives
NEW LIFE MEMBERS
Michael King
Keith Abraham
Lindsay Davis
Peter Finch
Bob Asser
Graham Cook
www.surflifesaving.net.au
NEW SPONSOR FOR
SPECIAL NEEDS
Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches
is excited to announce a new sponsorship
partnership with the RFi Group to cater for our
Special Needs Program.
The RFi Group has entered into a one-year
arrangement, with the option to extend for a
further three years.
The RFi Group is a global intelligence and
media provider focusing exclusively on financial
services.
It specialises in data and information gathering,
customer based insight generation and
business decision support for the world’s
leading financial service providers and it covers
34 key global markets with regional offices in
Toronto, Washington DC, London, Hong Kong,
Singapore and Sydney.
Commenting on the sponsorship, which started
on July 1, with SLSSNB, Charles Green, the
Group CEO for RFi, said: ‘’We are proud and
honoured to be partnering and volunteering with
the Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches
Special Needs Program.
“It is a fantastic initiative that we wholeheartedly
support.
“We look forward to working with the SLSSNB
volunteers, as well as the children from Vern
Barnett (Children with Autism), Cromer Public
School Special Needs and Stewart House in
their surf safety program, throughout the year.
“The RFi Group are committed to being an
active part of our local community and look
forward to being involved in this way.’’
Sydney Northern Beach Branch CEO Steve
McInnes said: “We are delighted to have
entered into this new partnership with RFi
and thank Charles Green and his team for
supporting this great initiative.
“Our Surf Life Saving School Special Needs
programs are provided free of charge to the
schools as an important part of the children’s
physical and social development. RFi’s support
will ensure the continued delivery of the
programs.’’
Pictures: Special Needs children enjoy the
carnival spirit.
THANK YOU TO BERKELOUW BOOKS
Berkelouw Books Dee Why continue to be a
great supporter of surf life saving, particularly
Sydney Northern Beaches Branch.
For the past five years Berkelouw Books,
through the wonderful support of manager
Rachel Thomas, have asked customers for a
gold coin donation for their wrapping services.
Needless to say, the customers have responded
and the Branch has benefitted.
SNB Branch is ever so grateful to Berkelouw
Books Dee Why and to their customers for their
donations.
Berkelouw Books Dee Why will soon be moving
from their current premises in Howard Avenue
www.surflifesaving.net.au
and will be relocating to the Dee Why Grand
Shopping Centre.
“We will be closing [at Howard Avenue
premises] on August 14 and expect to reopen
[at Dee Why Grand] on August 31,’’ Rachel said.
“We are excited to be staying in the area of Dee
Why to continue to support our local community
who we love so much. And we will continue to
support the lifesavers, who we also love.’’
WESTPAC FOUNDATION GRANT AIDS STEWART HOUSE PROGRAM
Westpac Foundation
Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches
have been fortunate enough to have been
chosen to receive a Community Grant from
Westpac Foundation.
SNB will use the Grant of $9,900 to help
operate the Stewart House Surf Education
Program.
Westpac Foundation Executive Officer Lisa
Waldron said: ‘’This year we received a record
number of 597 applications from every region in
Australia.
“Yours was one of 92 organisations to receive
funding.
“Our Community Grants are designed to support
organisations like yours doing great work in
local communities and we are proud to be
helping you help others.’’
SNB CEO Steve McInnes said the Grant was
very timely as the Stewart House Program no
longer had corporate sponsorship backing
‘’We are very excited because it now means we
can continue with this excellent Program that
was started in 2004,’’ he said.
‘’Stewart House draws from disadvantaged
communities across NSW and the ACT and
about 1800 children come to the complex,
based at South Curl Curl, for their 12-day stay.
“The Surf Awareness Program, provided as part
of the Stewart House visit, runs for 45 weeks of
the year.
“We believe that education in a fun
environment, provides not only life skills for the
kids but also helps develop their self-confidence
and ability to cope.”
Just recently Ty, Nerida, Charlotte and Ayden
stayed at Stewart House for the first time and
learnt about surf awareness.
www.surflifesaving.net.au
Ty and Ayden come from Penrith, Nerida
(Bathurst) and Charlotte (the Shire).
They all said they loved meeting new friends
and having great fun.
Pictures: Top: Ty, Nerida, Charlotte and Ayden
enjoy their time at Stewart House. Bottom:
Sydney Northern Beaches Branch CEO Steve
McInnes (left) meets with Wade Benson, the
Regional General Manager, Northern Beaches,
Westpac Retail and Business Banking, to
discuss further opportunities for fundraising.
INTERNATIONAL HONOUR FOR TIPS LEADER TRISH NEWTON
To be the only Australian to receive the ICISF
International Crisis Response Leadership Award
is a feather in her cap and something Trish
Newton never thought possible.
For a start, only a handful of awards are
presented and there are plenty of people
throughout the world who are leaders in the field
of Critical Incident Stress Management, (CISM)
and Peer Support.
Trish was honoured at the (ICISF), International
Critical Incident Stress Foundation’s 13th World
Congress on Stress, Trauma and Coping in
Baltimore in May for her leadership role with
Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches TIPS
(Traumatic Incident Peer Support) team.
Trish described the award as public recognition
and a huge acknowledgement of her work as
a Professional in the field and a Volunteer. But
more importantly, she declared: ‘’We are so on
track with what we do and have been for a long
time in this Branch, Sydney Northern Beaches
Surf Life Saving.”
Trish was accompanied to the United States by
Steve Haggett. “Steve has been along ide me all
the way and is my longest serving Peer and my
assistant co-ordinator and good friend, that’s why
he came,’’ Trish said.
Awards aside, Trish said she was just so inspired
by some of the speakers like Sergeant Kimberly
Munley.
“She talked about her experience and how it
impacted her life when she was involved in the
infamous Fort Hood mass shooting in November,
2009 when a US Army psychiatrist Nidal Malik
Hasan fatally shot 13 people and injured more
than 30 others. Munley was shot several times
herself,’’ said Trish.
“There was a presentation from NAV Canada
which was amazing considering the air safety
requirements in this current world of terrorist
potentials. Along with the people who managed
and supported the Boston Marathon bombings.
And there’s a great U-Tube video Brave Heart
which is the Brian Boyle story and is worth
watching to see an amazing human being strive
for recovery.
LESSONS LEARNT
“And, of course, having the founders of Critical
Incident stress management and The ICISF
speak is always invigorating and they tend to
give off the feeling that the work we do is just
so worthwhile. Dr Jeffrey Mitchell PhD and Dr
George Everly PhD, ABpp Jr. are inspirational.
“It has rejuvenated me to keep doing what I am
doing,’’
Trish and Steve were given one hour to give
her presentation in front of more than1000
people, most coming from army, police, fire,
health professionals, paramedic and rescue
organisations such as the United Nations, Red
Cross and World Vision.
Her presentation was about the lessons learnt
and an analysis of how we’ve sustained a peer
support program for 20 years in a small part
of an organisation. ‘’How can a small group of
people from such a large organisation continue
to maintain a program when the rest of the
www.surflifesaving.net.au
organisation is resistant? That’s basically what
it’s about,’’ Trish said,
Steve told Trish later: ‘’We have been ahead of
a lot.’’
“Peer Support continues to be one of the best
interventions, immediate interventions,’’ she said.
“We don’t do counselling, not psychotherapy,
its peer support. The peers are trained to
defuse, listen, educate and support as well as
to recognise reactions or symptoms outside the
realms of normal recovery. Peers are trained to
recognise when someone is not recovering in a
normal/usual capacity.
“We continue to learn that people do not want to
talk to strangers and we know that people do not
need therapy so Peers are always well received
and a very important aide in recovery for people
after they have been exposed to a critical
incident. We, as human beings, are designed to
recover unless there are other issues which may
complicate the traumatic event.
“It is an ever changing field and we continue to
learn from every critical incident.’’
Before Trish went to the United States she had
been thinking: ‘’Perhaps it’s time to hand over the
baton.’’
But after hearing all those stories in Baltimore
and not wanting to let the current SNB Peer
Support group down, Trish will carry on as the
trainer and coordinator for this very worthwhile
and much needed, member support service.
“Last year we trained four more Peer support
people and they are so excited to be doing it –
I can’t let them down,’’ she said
“What I get out of it is keeping them upskilled,
highly trained and well supported. The secret
to the whole program is that I have continued
to maintain and support my Peers and keep it
professionally up to speed.
‘’As Peers we are inspired by seeing the relief
on people’s faces when we arrive at an incident.
They know that this Branch cares and that
there is support for them and referrals to other
professional health people if indicated.”
Trish and Steve would like to thank Dee Why
RSL Club and SNB Branch for helping to fund
their trip to Baltimore to attend the World
Congress.
DEE WHY RSL FUNDS NEW RESCUE JET SKI
Pictures: Alex Buckton with the new rescue jet ski,
funded by Dee Why RSL Club and Alex takes the jet ski for a test run at North Palm Beach
Sydney Northern Beaches Branch has a new
rescue (RWC) jet ski, courtesy of Dee Why RSL
Club.
Dee Why RSL Club has fully funded the latest SeaDoo 155 model, which will be based at North Palm
Beach SLSC.
Branch Powercraft advisor Graham Howard says
there is a huge difference between the latest
Rescue Water Craft than the previous one which
Dee Why RSL Club helped the Branch to purchase.
“The Sea-Doo 155 is the biggest engine we use.
It comes with brake and reverse and tilt for the jet
unit,’’ he said.
“It’s better to use around rocks because you have
some manoeuvrability where the others only went
forward.’’
The old one will now become a training ski.
The Branch has three rescue jets skis that do roving
patrols – North Palm Beach to Newport, Newport to
Long Reef and Long Reef to North Head.
In the past season, there were 46 jet ski rescues on
the northern beaches. We now have 39 specialist
operators, who take up to six months to train.
www.surflifesaving.net.au
CHARLES GIVES DEVELOPMENT CAMP THUMBS UP
While he has been a keen surfer for a number
of years, Charles Viney thought he should learn
some new skills 12 months ago and decided to
become a lifesaver.
Charles, who came to Australia with his wife
Gioia from the UK five years ago, joined North
Steyne Surf Life Saving Club and immediately
did his Bronze Medallion.
After hearing SLSNSW were running a
Leadership Development Program for 26
years and over participants, North Steyne
Club captain Rebecca Chapman suggested to
Charles he should put his name forward.
And he did. Charles was the Sydney Northern
Beaches representative at the Development
Camp at Sydney Sports Academy at Narrabeen
last month.
“It was certainly a great experience listening
to the experts talk, hearing about the other
Clubs in the country and it just reinforced how
important surf lifesaving is,’’ said the 34-year-old
architect.
Sydney Northern Beaches had Adrienne Lowe,
Andy Cross and Bernard Utteridge as Program
Facilitators, while James and Max Brooks were
guest speakers.
Adrienne, who is also SNB Branch Director
of Education and Assessment, said: “I would
definitely like to see more camps of this nature.
This was the pilot one and I think they have the
target market exactly right. We had people from
26 through to their late 40s.
“These people are new to a Club, they are
keen to be involved and keen to make changes
within the Club and are looking at things slightly
differently.
“Next time I’d like to see at least two
representatives from each Branch but, with
the bigger Branches likes us, more from the
northern beaches if it is going to be held in
Sydney. I can understand the logistics of getting
people from the South Coast and Far North
Coast.’’
Adrienne added: ‘’As well as the facilitated
section where we had guest speakers, we had
team building projects at the Academy.
“One was dark water kayaking. We had three
in each kayak. The front and back paddlers
had blindfolds. It was about team work,
understanding commands and trusting your
guide not to steer you into the bank.
“There was also the challenging high ropes
course.
“The participants also had to make a
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presentation and within three minutes sell an
idea, so it was those skills they could take back
to their committees. Bernard was the one that
really facilitated that short, sharp get your point
across and critiquing their presentations.
“James and Max Brooks spoke about Newport
competition and goal setting.’’
Pictures: Adrienne Lowe [left}, Andy Cross
and Charles Viney [middle] kayaking on
Narrabeen Lakes and right Max Brooks, a
guest speaker.
ROB LEAVES BRANCH BUT NOT HIS BELOVED WHALE BEACH
Rob Berry fell in love with Whale Beach the first
time he surfed The Wedge on his Malibu board.
He recalls how a couple of guys introduced
themselves to him while surfing and later invited
him back to the surf club for a drink. That was
in 1961. Now, 54 years later, Rob is part of the
furniture at Whale Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
Rob was already a lifesaver at Grange in
South Australia before he came to Sydney as a
21-year-old.
A foundation member of the Grange SLSC, Rob
obtained his Bronze Medallion at 16, rowed
surfboats, paddled skis and was in the R and R
and March Past teams.
While still a member of the Grange Club, Rob
was involved in a major rescue and helped
save the lives of two young men whose yacht
had overturned in seas off Kirkcaldy. He and
Douglas Milne [Scarborough SLSC] paddled out
on a double ski to rescue the men.
A job offer with H G Palmers enticed Rob to
Sydney. He lived in Bankstown for a time and
joined Bondi Surf Club. But the southern beaches didn’t appeal to him.
“The northern beaches, particularly down on
the peninsula, were very much like the beautiful
bays and beaches I was used to in South
Australia and also in Victoria where I had surfed
a lot,’’ Rob said.
The rest is history once Rob found Whale
Beach. He settled in Avalon.
Rob held the position of Whale Beach Club
President for three years and served on numerous committees.
NEW CLIENTS
These days he refers to himself as a jack of all
trades. If there is something to be done at the
Club then Rob is the man to call.
He has been a keen competitor all his life. And
he has won numerous medals at Branch and
other carnivals in ski events while representing
Whale Beach in different age groups. And, in
the days when the Pillow Fight was popular,
Rob won several Branch titles.
“I actually won the event the last time it was
held at the Metropolitan Championships,’’ he
said.
With a background in marketing and advertising with clients as Boral and Gillette, Rob was
approached six years ago to help the Branch
find sponsors and he took on the role of Director
of Marketing and Sponsorship.
‘’I think I have helped build very strong relationships with our clients that have been with
us for a number of years and strengthen the
relationships with fairly new clients, particularly
Westfield,’’ he said.
www.surflifesaving.net.au
“When Coca Cola Amatil could no longer
sponsor the Branch because of the restructuring
of the company, I had a contact with Coca Cola
International and the company granted the
Branch a $20,000 donation to help fill the gap
while we found an alternative sponsor.’’
Rob has made sure the various sponsors banners have always been on display at carnivals.
And the Branch is really appreciative of his
great efforts.
But Rob is now moving on from Branch duties.
There’s still his beloved Whale Beach and the
Big Swim to look after. He was involved right
from the very start of the first marathon Ocean
Swim from Palm Beach to Whale Beach in
1974. And over that time the event has raised
close to $1.3million for Whale Beach Club. And
ocean swimming has certainly gained popularity
with other Clubs holding such events.
While helping daughter Charlotte in business,
Rob will still be hitting the ocean as much as
possible. “I have just bought myself a new ski.
I’ll be swimming and paddling and remaining as
positive as I can be,’’ he said.
Pictures: Rob [left] is moving on;
the Pillow Fight champion [right]; after
competing in the Big Swim and in the bow
seat for Grange.
THE DAY 100 SURFBOATS INVADED COLLAROY BEACH
It was certainly spectacular – 100 surfboats
invading Collaroy Beach as part of the Gallipoli
re-enactment on Anzac Day.
Thousands turned up to watch the event in
brilliant sunshine. The Australian, New Zealand
and Turkish boats were first to land on the beach.
Veteran South Curl Curl boat sweep Chris
Flemming, who steered the Turkish surfboat, said
the day had a real good feel about it.
‘’It was a good Aussie way of celebrating,’’
he said.
Pictures: KEMBLE COWAN
www.surflifesaving.net.au
GEORGIA, CHARLIE
WERE STAR ACTS
AT THE AUSSIES
It was one of the greatest years on record for
Sydney Northern Beaches competitors at the
Australian Open Surf Life Saving Championships on the Gold Coast with a number of
firsts.
With the Aussies celebrating 100 years, Newport’s Georgia Miller and Charlie Brooks were
among the star acts. And they were named
the Outstanding Female and Male Athletes
respectively at the Championships on April 19.
There was the Newport men’s Open Taplin
Relay team who broke Northcliffe’s dominance
and became the first NSW club since Maroubra to win the blue riband event in 19 years.
And Collaroy’s Katie Williams broke through
for her first victory in the Open female flags.
Manly’s Naomi Flood is undoubtedly the
greatest female ski paddler in the history of the
sport, winning her sixth title.
Flood indicated after the final that could have
been her last Aussies as she now focusses on
kayaks and hopes to represent Australia at a
second Olympics in Rio next year.
SNB clubs finished with a haul of 28 gold, 14
silver and 29 bronze medals.
Clubs who won gold medals were Newport
[11], Collaroy [6], Manly [5], Queenscliff [3],
Freshwater [1], South Curl Curl [1] and Mona
Vale [1].
We had three clubs in the top 10 – Newport
[second], Manly [fifth] and Collaroy [ninth].
Also, Newport, a club on the move, won the
handicap pointscore.
UPSET THE FAVOURITES
Charlie Brooks, Miller and the Taplin boys
were the stand outs for the Club.
Miller became the second swimmer since
Coogee’s Linda Gladstone 18 years ago, to
win both the open and under 19 surf double.
She picked up four gold medals, while young
Charlie collected five gold medals.
Charlie, 17, is a real star of the future.
The Newport Open Taplin team of Max
Brooks, Tom Atkinson, Kendrick Louis, Jonah
Bread, Mitchell Trim and Luke Morrison was
really determined to leave its mark on the
championships.
They needed a good start in the first board
leg and Max Brooks rose to the occasion. The
boys had thought long and hard about who
would paddle first and Max put his hand up.
And when Kendrick Louis came out of the water after the first swim leg, the Newport boys
weren’t going to lose this one. In three years
they have come from ninth, to third and now
they are the kings.
Newport also won the male under 17 and
under 19 Taplin relays, with Charlie Brooks in
both teams.
The Collaroy men’s open beach relay team of
Michael Kember, Ross Langbein, Dean Scarff
and Elliott Marynissen upset the favourites
Currumbin to win their third title in four years,
while the Club’s under 23 male and female
boat crews took gold.
SNB won four of the six boat finals with the
South Curl Curl girls winning the open final
and Mona Vale won the reserves.
There were success stories in Champion Life
Saver events with Manly’s Lachlan Bruce [under 19] and Queenscliff’s Callum Lowe-Griffiths [under 17s] winning gold medals.
Jake de Kort [Collaroy], Jackson Borg [Newport], Clare Freakley [Freshwater] and Bella
Charlesworth [South Curl Curl] also medalled
in their respective age groups in Champion
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Life Saver.
And In First Aid competition, Manly’s Aiden
Baldwin and Sita Mason won the Under 19s,
while Freshwater pair Julia Baker and Tahlia
Dearden took out the Under 17s. In the same
age group Manly’s Jessica Egan and Georgia
Warner took the bronze.
In Open First Aid, Dee Why President Allen
Lakeman combined with SNB Director of Education Adrienne Lowe to take third place.
Pictures: Top; The winning Newport
Open Taplin team Mitchell Trim [left], Max
Brooks, Kendrick Louis, Luke Morrison,
Jonah Beard and Tom Atkinson. Below:
Collaroy’s Katie Williams wins the Open
flags. Photos: Harvpix
(Left) Max and Charlie Brooks
(Above) Georgia Miller … Female Athlete
South Curl Curl … champion open crew
Naomi Flood … sixth title
Isaac Smith [right] and Jackson Borg
Mona Vale … reserve boat champions
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Collaroy champion beach relay team