2010 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Swansea Belmont proved a happy hunting ground for our competitors at the 2010 State Championships. Again, our Nippers and Masters provided the entrée for a memorable weekend. For the record, we finished 7th in the State, one placing better than last year and five positions better than 2008 with every Section contributing vital points.
This scribe’s highlight would have to be the Beach arena where we collected 5 Gold Medals. Michael Kember appears to be over his injury and claimed back to back gold in the Open Sprint with Katie Williams an unbackable favourite in winning the U17 Flags. Our relay teams too were superb. Gold to the Open Mens, U19 Female and U17 Female.
The goldrush started on Friday when Bart Louis, Pat Nicol and Mitchell Trim won the U19 Ski Relay a great race with a sprint to the line finish from Pat securing the bickies.
On Saturday, the R&R army continued the momentum with Gold in the 6 Person and 5 Person divisions. Infact every R&R team recorded a medal ensuring that the Harry Nightingale Trophy for best R&R team in the State stays in our trophy cabinet for another year.
Competition in the Boat arena started on the Friday and it was our U19 crews that (in my opinion) exceeded their own expectations. The Knights and Marshalls progressing through only to be both left at the altar in the semis. The Giggles were confident of their chances after a Gold at Branch and didn't dissapoint with a trip to the final in the U23 division. But the curse of Collaroy came back to haunt them too on the trip out through the first sets of waves. In the meantime, the Garrick's are again quietly going about their work, their focus as usual is only on one prize..the Aussies.
Sunday morning in the March Past saw the Bears turn the tables on the Ladies from last year winning gold. Not to be outdone our U23’s on 15 minutes practice collecting Gold too and registered less points than both our Open teams. Well done girls, are we having a go at the Opens in Kurrawa..?
In the Master's, Sigi Hill and Blake White combined in the 30-34 Board Rescue to collect gold and our own golden girls (Louise Smallwood & Kerry Armstrong) both collected podium finishes in beach events.
Again thanks to our Officials and supporters together with those on voluntary patrols over the weekend.