Almost 4000 individual competitors from more than 100 clubs are expected to take part.

The State’s leading surf lifesavers will test their skills at the annual competition which attracts crowds of up to 10,000 spectators wanting to see competitors fight it out for glory in the water and on the beach.

The NSW Allphones Masters & Open Surf Life Saving Championships will commence with the Masters hitting Blacksmiths Beach on February 25 and their younger counterparts taking centre stage from Friday February 26 through to Sunday February 28.

Last weekend Manly upset Cronulla’s 12-year winning streak by taking out the overall pointscore at the 2010 NSW Age Championships, while Wanda finished second.

For the last two years the overall pointscore winners in the Open champs have been Manly, after stealing the title from Cronulla, and Manly will be frontrunners to secure another victory this year.

It won’t come easy though – Cronulla SLSC is home to some of NSW’s leading surf stars who will be looking to conquer not only the individual events but the team events as well.

Host club Swansea Belmont will be looking to better its great effort last year when it placed fourth overall.

The club has always been at the forefront of the competitive ranks in the Hunter Branch at NSW and Australian Surf Lifesaving carnivals and this weekend will be another massive effort from the club’s workforce and competitors.

This is the final year in a three-year hosting arrangement for the club.

The Open Ironman event is shaping up to be a battle royal, with a number of top competitors ready to race when the gun goes.

Chris Allum, who won in 2007, hopes to make a comeback. His brother Hayden is also a contender and both are current Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironman Series competitors. Mark Simpson is also in the mix.

Last year’s winner, Jono Stock, from Manly is back again, as is second placegetter, Kendrick Louis from Collaroy.

Warilla-Barrack Point’s Ali Day is on fire after finishing sixth overall in the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain series at Cronulla last weekend. Hayden White will also bolster the club’s chances in his events.

Josh Blair from Swansea Belmont is sure to give these guys a nudge, after finishing ninth in last weekend’s Round 5 of the KNG series.

The big question is whether Manly’s Naomi Flood can collect a sixth successive title win in the Open Ironwoman event. Her chances are good after last weekend’s third place in the Kellogg’s Ironman series.  She will come up against a tough field of competitors, including local Swansea Belmont competitor Nikki Chapman.

Freshwater’s Alisha Miller and Terrigal’s Amy Nurthen will also be hot on her heels. Last year’s second placegetter Maddison Prior from Warilla-Barrack Point will contest the U19 along with the Open Ironwoman. Tahnee Fleming from Byron Bay will also double up in the U19 and Open events.

On the beach, Queenscliff’s Laura Shorter will carve up the sand in both the Open Beach Flags and Sprint events. Jake Lynch from Newport will defend his U19 Beach Sprint and Flags titles and throw his hat in the ring for the Opens.

From the State’s north, Cudgen Headland will put forward some good competitors, including Rohan Small, Jarrad Cain and Scott McCartney in the individual and water teams events. Sawtell’s Kayla Russell and Sarah Tisdell will compete in Open water events.

Hunter club chances include Redhead’s Stewart McLachlan in the Open Board and Isaac Morgan who has moved up to the U17 events. Hannah Trypas will be hard to beat in the U15 water events. Swansea Belmont U17 chances include Kirsty Waugh in the water events and Emily Chaffey who is contesting the U17 and also taking on the Open Ironwoman event.

The South Coast push will be led by the strong Warilla-Barrack Point team. While great things are expected from Ali Day, Warilla’s Jordan White will defend her U17 Ironwoman crown and also line up for the Open Ironwoman. Bernadette Cardillo, now with Bulli, will compete in a range of U17 and Open beach events.

Central Coast star performers are likely to include: Stephanie Carey (The Lakes) who is taking a swipe at both the Open water events and the Beach Sprint and Flags. Terrigal’s Joanna Baxter moves up from the U19 to the Open events, and Ed Gourley will be interesting to watch in the U19 events. Karlee Nurthen is in form after taking home a swag of medals including U14 Ironwoman at last weekend’s junior championships. She will be back this weekend to have a go at the U15 events.

Cronulla’s Elly Graf will defend her U19 Beach Flags and Sprint titles, as well as be a good chance in the Open events, after the retirement last year of Bulli’s Cara Langendam. Kyle O’Brien from Cronulla will be back to defend medals in the U17 water events. Jessica Lauricella, competing for Wanda, is one to watch in the U17 water events. She was chosen for this year’s High Performance Squad and is in good form. Maroubra’s Tara Coleman performed well in the ski and board events last year.

The Championships will come to a dramatic close on 28 February in what will be a massive day of finals with the pageantry and colour of the March Past up first and the prestigious Ironman and Ironwoman tagged as the events to watch later in the day.

Following this year’s event, competitors will say goodbye to Swansea Belmont and head north for the next two years to Cudgen Headland SLSC at Kingscliff.

Round 1 – IRB Premiership

The first round of this year’s IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) Premiership will also kick off on Saturday afternoon at Swansea Belmont. Water safety crews from clubs around the State will demonstrate their rescue skills in this fast-paced, action packed event.

Related posts:

1. South West Rocks to host Country surf lifesaving titles The 2010 Stramit NSW Country Surf Life Saving Championships were...
2. Tweed Coast secures NSW Surf Lifesaving Championships Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club at Kingscliff has been...
3. 2000 expected to contest Country Surf Life Saving titles Far North Coast life savers will be among the almost...

With the final teams events contested today, Lennox Head-Alstonville claimed the top spot in the overall pointscores, followed by Byron Bay in second place and Cudgen Headland in fourth place.

Defending title holder for the last two years, Warilla-Barrack Point, slipped to third position.

Sawtell was the best performing club from the Mid North Coast region, while the host club, South West Rocks, finished up in 11th spot.

The event has been hugely successful for the small South West Rocks club and community, generating an estimated $5million within the local economy. With the support of the Kempsey Shire Council, the club is looking forward to hosting the event again next year.

Top 10 placings:
Lennox Head-Alstonville 687
Byron Bay 621.5
Warilla-Barrack Point 577.5
Cudgen Headland 521
Shellharbour 414
Sawtell 383
Coffs Harbour 336
Tacking Point 305
Port Macquarie 254.5
Woolgoolga 210.

Others: Yamba 62 (15th), Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore 59 (16th), Cabarita Beach 21 (25th), Brunswick 19 (26th).

Related posts:

1. Lennox Head-Alstonville makes great start to Country surf titles The 2010 Stramit NSW Country Surf Life Saving Championships kicked...
2. Far North Coast clubs lead on day two of Country surf titles Far North Coast clubs led the charge in the overall...
3. 2000 expected to contest Country Surf Life Saving titles Far North Coast life savers will be among the almost...

With Open and Masters events contested, Byron Bay finished up on top, while strong performances by Cudgen Headland competitors snared second place. Shellharbour took third spot and Lennox Head-Alstonville was in fourth position.

Leading the charge for Cudgen were some powerful performers in the water including Scott McCartney, Jarrad Cain, Rohan Small, Ben James, Bill Hamilton and Dylan Klein, who took out the first three places in the Open Board Rescue.

A very happy Jarrad Cain won the Open Ironman event.

For Lennox Head, Nathan Gray won U19 Ironman and Hayden Thomas won the U17 Ironman.

Byron Bay won the U17 Male Ski Relay and the Open Women’s Board Rescue events.

South Coast’s Jordan White (Warilla-Barrack Point) took out the Open Ironwoman, one of the carnival’s premier events.

Warilla-Barrack Point was too strong in the Open Men’s Surfboats and Kiama came out on top in the Reserve grade Surfboats.

Shellharbour favourite Zoe Elkerton took first place in the U17 Female Swim and the club clean-sweeped the top three spots in the 2-Person R&R events.

The competition wraps up on Sunday, with the remainder of the teams events to be contested.

OVERALL POINTSCORE – DAY TWO

1.  Byron Bay 200 
2.  Cudgen Headland 184 
3.  Shellharbour 179 
4.  Lennox Head-Alstonville 163 
5.  Warilla-Barrack Point 159 
6.  Sawtell 126 
7.  Tacking Point 111 
8.  Port Macquarie 96 
9.  Woolgoolga 93 
10.  South West Rocks 86

Detailed results.

Related posts:

1. Lennox Head-Alstonville makes great start to Country surf titles The 2010 Stramit NSW Country Surf Life Saving Championships kicked...
2. 2000 expected to contest Country Surf Life Saving titles Far North Coast life savers will be among the almost...
3. South West Rocks to host Country surf lifesaving titles The 2010 Stramit NSW Country Surf Life Saving Championships were...

With almost 2000 competitors expected to take part in the three-day event, the juniors took to the beach and water to contest a range of individual and teams events.

Competitors as young as seven battled it out, with championship title holder Warilla-Barrack Point SLSC ending the day on top in the overall pointscore.

Northern club Lennox Head-Alstonville finished up second after great performances from a particularly strong junior contingent.

Mid North Coast favourites Coffs Harbour, with the largest team in the competition, are currently in third place.

Competition continues on Saturday with the Open and Masters competitors, along with the surfboat racing.

OVERALL POINTSCORE – DAY ONE

1. Warilla-Barrack Point 192
2. Lennox Head-Alstonville 188
3. Coffs Harbour 104
4. Cudgen Headland 94
5. Tacking Point 86
6. Byron Bay 83
7. Sawtell 48
8. Bellinger Valley-North Beach 41
9. Port Macquarie 36
10. Shellharbour 26
11. Yamba 25
12. Woolgoolga 23
13. Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore 22
14. South West Rocks 20
15. Black Head 18
16. Nambucca Heads 18
17. Mollymook 16
18. Urunga 16
19. Brunswick 13
20. Taree-Old Bar 13
21. Forster 12
22. Cabarita Beach 11
23. Wauchope-Bonny Hills 8
24. Nowra-Culburra 6
25. Shoalhaven Heads 6
26. Kiama Downs 4
27. Kempsey-Crescent Head 3
28. Macksville-Scotts Head 2
29. Cape Hawke 1

PICTURES: Lyteeka Currie, from Yamba, who won the Under-9 Surf, Board and Beach Sprint events, and Lennox Head-Alstonville’s Scarlett Fahey in the Under-11 Ironwoman, (courtesy of Surf Life Saving NSW).

Related posts:

1. 2000 expected to contest Country Surf Life Saving titles Far North Coast life savers will be among the almost...
2. South West Rocks to host Country surf lifesaving titles The 2010 Stramit NSW Country Surf Life Saving Championships were...
3. Lennox Head win back-to-back FNC rugby grand finals Lennox Head are the 2009 Far North Coast Rugby Union...

Kempsey Shire Council and South West Rocks Surf Life Saving club will host one of the biggest events on the surf sports calendar.

With almost 2000 competitors already registered to take part at the event, the Stramit Country Championships will be the fourth largest surf carnival in 2010, only surpassed by the NSW, Queensland and Australian Championships.

The event will take place from Friday 15 January to Sunday 17 January 2010 and will feature competitors aged seven to 73.

This is the first of a two-year deal to host the championships at South West Rocks. The event could attract more than 5000 competitors, officials, family and friends to the area.

While the Stramit Country Championships are only open to clubs outside the Newcastle-to-Illawarra corridor, some of the State’s best surf sports athletes will be on show determined to not only continue their preparation for the State and National titles, but also to help drive their club to supremacy in the Junior, Senior and Overall pointscores.

The Stramit Country Championships is the only event on the surf sport calendar to feature a full range of events, including Surf Boats, as well as all age groups from U8s through to Masters, within a three-day surf carnival.

Last year the powerhouse of the Warilla-Barrack Point team collected their second year in a row overall pointscore win. They again have a large contingent competing on the weekend.

From the South Coast, together with Warilla-Barrack Point, Nowra-Culburra will again send strong contingents targeting the junior, senior and overall pointscores.

From the north, Cudgen Headland and Coffs harbour will present a strong challenge, while last year’s second placegetters Lennox Head-Alstonville are expected to return with a strong squad for this year’s event.

2010 Stramit NSW Country Championships Facts and Figures:

• 1709 athletes currently registered to compete at the event (150-200 late entries are expected)
• Over 230 events will be contested, with almost 700 medals on offer
• Youngest competitor: Poppy Smyth (Coffs Harbour) 7yrs
• Oldest competitor: Raymond Burridge (Yamba) 73yrs
• The event is expected to bring more than 5000 people to the Kempsey region.

Related posts:

1. South West Rocks to host Country surf lifesaving titles The 2010 Stramit NSW Country Surf Life Saving Championships were...
2. Tweed Coast secures NSW Surf Lifesaving Championships Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club at Kingscliff has been...
3. Northern NSW Under 15s finish on top of group Northern NSW Under 15s have finished their group matches undefeated...

The event will run from 15-17 January, 2010, and will attract competitors from every non-metropolitan surf life saving branch in the State.

The event will run at South West Rocks for the next two years and will bring more than 5000 people to the region for the carnival.

With almost 2000 competitors, the Stramit NSW Country Championships is the second largest surf lifesaving competition in NSW this season.

The Mayor of Kempsey Shire Council, John Bowell, described the event as a tremendous boost to sports tourism in the region and congratulated Stramit and the South West Rocks SLSC for staging the event for the next two years.

“An event of this size takes an enormous commitment at all levels, but the more we can showcase and boost the competitive arm of surf lifesaving in our region, the better,” said Bowell.

Surf Life Saving NSW President, Tony Haven, outlined the massive logistical undertaking the event involves, but says the Mid-North Coast Branch has what it takes to stage a successful championships of this size.

“This event is good news for the region,” said Haven. “We estimate visitors will spend around $1 million over the three days.”

South West Rocks president, Rod McDonagh, said his committed team of volunteers is looking forward to welcoming elite surf sports competitors from around the State for three days of action on the beach and in the water.

Stramit’s regional manager, Ian Nash, said the company was very pleased to be able to support the development of our surf sports athletes in regional areas.

“We believe it’s important to put something back into the communities we work in,” said Nash.

WHERE
South West Rocks SLSC

WHEN
15 – 17 January, 2010

Related posts:

1. Tweed Coast secures NSW Surf Lifesaving Championships Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club at Kingscliff has been...
2. Rocks thrown at Rally Australia car; boulders placed on route Police investigations are continuing after protest activity resulted in the...
3. FNC lifesaver Scott McCartney wins Interbranch board event Far North Coast surf lifesaver Scott McCartney won the Open...

The titles were dominated by Sydney and Central Coast branches, with Sydney taking the championship by only two points from Central Coast.

FNC’s Joshua Brown won the Under-13 male surf race. Joshua, Lorne Greenlaw and Jay Meaney each picked up several minor placings for FNC.

FNC competitors Eliza Armstrong, Kaitlin Bakker, Samantha Corbett and Tahnee Fleming were placegetters.

Far North Coast results

Male

Under 14 Iron Man 3. Lorne Greenlaw (Far North Coast).

Under 13 Iron Man 3. Joshua Brown (Far North Coast).

Under 13 Iron Man Teams 2. Far North Coast (Gold).

Under 14 Male Surf Race 3. Lorne Greenlaw (Far North Coast).

Under 13 Male Surf Race 1. Joshua Brown (Far North Coast).

Under 15 Male Beach Flags 3. Jay Meaney (Far North Coast).

Under 17 Male Beach Sprint 2. Nathan Sharp (Far North Coast).

Under 15 Male Beach Sprint  3. Jay Meaney (Far North Coast).

Open Male Board Rescue 3. Far North Coast (Gold).

Open Male Board 1. Scott McCartney (Far North Coast).

Open Male Board Teams 1. Far North Coast (Gold).

Under 17 Male Board Teams 3. Far North Coast (Gold).

Under 14 Male Board Rescue 3. Far North Coast (Gold).

Under 12 Male Board Rescue 3. Far North Coast (Gold).

Female

Under 12 Iron Woman 3. Eliza Armstrong (Far North Coast).

Under 12 Iron Woman Teams 3. Far North Coast (Gold).

Under 19 Female Beach Sprint 3. Kaitlin Bakker (Far North Coast).

Under 15 Female Board Teams 3. Far North Coast (Gold).

Under 12 Female Board 3. Samantha Corbett (Far North Coast).

Under 12 Female Board Teams 2. Far North Coast (Gold).

Under 19 Female Single Ski 2. Tahnee Fleming (Far North Coast).

Under 19 Female Ski Teams 3. Far North Coast (Gold).

Under 17 Female Ski Teams 3. Far North Coast (Gold).

Related posts:

1. Regional Development Board members announced A top cop and a television producer/director are among 12...
2. Northern NSW teams record wins Northern NSW Football’s Under 15 side at the FFA National...
3. Lifesavers go back to school at Lennox Head Thirty surf lifesavers from northern NSW and south-east Queensland are...

Mayor of Tweed Councillor Warren Polglase welcomed the announcement, which has the financial and in-kind support of the council.

“The Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving is to be congratulated for their efforts in securing this prestigious championship event and taking on this challenge. We at Tweed Shire Council are the back room engine and we are fully supportive of their endeavours,” he said.

“Tweed Shire is fully supportive of sports tourism and surf lifesaving is a healthy, active sport for young people and men and women of all ages.,”

Coastal councils in NSW were invited to submit an expression of interest to host the prestigious event and Tweed was selected over four other local government areas.

The NSW Surf Life Saving Championship is conducted over seven days and attracts more than 12,000 visitors per day, with around 8000 competitors of all ages taking part in one of Australia’s largest surf lifesaving events.

“The event provides a significant economic benefit for the host region and is expected to give an $18 million injection into the local economy each year,” Councillor Polglase said.

“I am sure the people of Kingscliff and the local businesses will get right behind this fantastic event.”

President of the Cudgen Headland Surf Lifesaving Club Gary Cain said that he was confident that the club’s many members and supporters would rise to the challenge of hosting such a large event.

“We’d like to thank Tweed Shire Council for their support so far and we look forward to working with them and the rest of the community to put on the best NSW Championships ever in 2011 and 2012 at Kingscliff Beach,” Mr Cain said.

Tweed Shire Council voted at its 18 August 2009 meeting to provide financial and in-kind support to the event and endorse the allocation of $80,000 towards the first event.

This includes a $60,000 hosting fee and in-kind support with council works, equipment and operational services of $20,000.

Related posts:

1. Tweed Shire activties for International Day of People with a Disability On 3 December each year International Day of People with...
2. Cr Warren Polglase is new Mayor of Tweed Shire The Mayor of Tweed Shire for the period until September...
3. Lifesavers go back to school at Lennox Head Thirty surf lifesavers from northern NSW and south-east Queensland are...

The lifesavers from as far north as the Gold Coast south to Macksville have been selected to take part in the school, being held at Camp Drewe.

The school is the training program for those lifesavers who wish to be appointed as employed lifeguards over summer and is being conducted by the Australian Lifeguard Service, a division of Surf Life Saving NSW.

The program kicks off on Sunday with an 800 metre pool swim and a physical and skills assessment in testing conditions at Lennox Head Beach.  

Sessions for the remainder of the week include Beach Management and Public Safety, Advanced Emergency Care, Law Enforcement, Incident Control, Media Management, and dealing with hazardous materials.

Speakers from local councils and emergency services will deliver sessions on the Local Government Act, ambulance protocols and public relations.  

Speakers include Senior Constable Michael Hogan from the NSW Police Force, Inspector Chris Fabri from NSW Fire Brigades and Manager of Recreation and Open Spaces from Ballina Shire Council, Jillian Pratten.

“The lifeguards are being put through their paces by the training team,” said NSW Chief Lifeguard Stephen Leahy.

“Some of the younger guys and girls will feel the pressure of the surf conditions on Sunday and we will continue to test their skills and their decision-making ability over the next couple of days.”

While the school will give the students the skills to work on the beach, senior lifeguards are assessing the candidates on their suitability to be appointed as an employed Lifeguard.

“We are assessing the students’ aptitude, personality, how they handle stressful situations and how they communicate with others,” said Mr Leahy.

“Not only do we want lifeguards to be skilled rescuers, but they must have the people-skills to deal with many different situations.

“We also expect lifeguards to be wonderful ambassadors for their Council and for surf lifesaving.”

Successful lifeguards will work on beaches throughout northern NSW.

The Lifeguard School concludes on Tuesday afternoon.

Related posts:

1. Byron Bay’s Main Beach patrolled daily from November 23 Lifeguards will commence summer patrols this Monday morning (23rd November)...
2. Lennox Head-Alstonville makes great start to Country surf titles The 2010 Stramit NSW Country Surf Life Saving Championships kicked...
3. Lennox Head-Alstonville wins Country Surf Lifesaving championship Far North Coast clubs have dominated on the final day...

The surf club has been operating out of the Shelly Beach Club facility for several years after its original clubhouse at Lighthouse Beach was demolished in 2005 when refurbishment solutions were exhausted.

Recent storm damage to Shelly Beach, which left Lighthouse Beach relatively unscathed, recognises the appropriateness of Lighthouse Beach as a primary patrolling location, the surf club president, Kris Beavis, said.

The proposed project includes an observation tower/patrol room, first aid room and public toilet. It is proposed that this building be located on the site of the previous clubhouse.

A second building will be set back from the beach and will incorporate the club facilities as well as office space for Surf Lifesaving Far North Coast’s branch office and the professional lifeguard service which patrols Ballina’s beaches during summer and school holiday periods.

The plan calls for a closure of a section of Compton Drive between Cedar Crescent and McKinnon Street, and the diversion of Compton Drive behind the new clubhouse and carpark, linking up with the existing road at the bottom of Lighthouse Hill.

The section of Lighthouse Parade from the bottom of the hill to where Compton Drive and Lighthouse Parade now meet will also be closed, but access to Lighthouse Parade and Cedar Crescent will remain through the extension of Cedar Crescent to meet with the Compton Drive diversion (the shaded areas on the diagram represent the road closures).

There will be no change to the cycleway access.

The new facility is designed to not only service the Ballina-Lismore Surf Club, but to also provide accommodation for Surfcom which operates radio communication services for surf lifesaving clubs from Yamba to the Tweed. It will also include community meeting rooms and a cafe.

Mr Beavis said the proposed new clubhouse and facilities have been designed to have minimal impact on the sensitive coastal environment whilst still meeting the needs of the surf club and the community.

He said this was an exciting time for the organisation which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary.

“We have a proud history of service to this community and we are looking forward to seeing the development of the new premises,” Mr Beavis said.

“Once the development application is approved by the Ballina Council we will then be pursuing funding to complete the project.

“The surf club plays a vital role in ensuring the beaches in the shire are safe and we will be seeking to access similar Federal and State funding that has been provided for other communities.

“We will be partnering the Council in pursuing these funding opportunities.

“The new surf club would not simply benefit the members of the surf club; it would be an asset that will serve the community for many years to come.

“Last season our members conducted 49 rescues and performed 789 preventative actions, in addition to providing training for more than 200 surf awards for our senior and junior members.

“An investment in infrastructure for our surf lifesaving club will be an investment in community safety.”

Related posts:

1. Ballina Hockey Club secures funding for new complex Member for Ballina Don Page has congratulated the Ballina Hockey...
2. Cabarita Surf Club hits back at Mayor’s comments The Cabarita Surf Club has responded to comments by Tweed...
3. Marcus Baker’s new surf movie to premiere at Ballina RSL Club A premiere showing of Marcus Baker’s new surf movie, Nowhere...