Cudgen Headland SLSC has won the 2017 Stramit NSW Country Surf Life Saving Championships at South West Rocks this weekend. Ending the six year winning streak of the Byron Bay club, who placed third, they were more than double the points of nearest rival Sawtell SLSC.
Having lost to Byron by seven points last year Cudgen had been determined to win. ‘The whole club has put in a lot of work since the last Championships and have been determined to get the victory and to do it so convincingly this time round,’ said Cudgen Headland’s Director of Surf Sports Matt Bell.
They managed to achieve great performances in the team events where Cudgen secured a trifecta in the beach relays winning the Under 17, Under 19 and Open event in both male and female divisions. Wins in the premier team event, the Taplin Relay were also recorded in Open Male and Female, and U17 and U19 Male. The U15 Male and Female Cameron Relays also fell to Cudgen.
Stella performances were seen by Anthea Warne who won the U17 Board, Surf and Ironwoman, then backed-up to win the Open Surf Race as well. Luke Chaffer claimed the U19 Board, Ski and Ironman along with the Open Ski and Ironman. And it was a Cudgen-only presentation for the Open Board Race with Scott McCartney, Rory Matthews and Luke Chaffer all on the podium.
‘We had around 70 nippers here this weekend and our more experienced athletes like Scott McCartney and Nadi Canning are big mentors for the kids and push the whole team to give their best.’
The other surprise result of the championships was Sawtell SLSC finishing second on the overall pointscore, the best result the club can recall getting at this event. The North Coast club has had the benefit of an influx of new competitors this season and was consistent throughout the weekend.
Lennox Head – Alstonville SLSC placed fifth position.
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