Masters

Our goal in firing up the masters section at Collaroy has been to build the teams competing at State and Aussies. This year we had a team compete at both carnivals- our 110 years Male Taplin, they medalled at State, and suffered bad luck at Aussies. We also have our strong female beach relay team who medalled at both State and Aussies. More results of our beach competitors can be found in the beach report. We have had a really successful season, with growing numbers and improving results.

The masters always try and start the season early and have a few carnivals under our belts before Christmas to ensure plenty of race experience. We find this eases the nerves and helps build confidence and ability come titles time.  Scott's Head and Freshwater started us off, great carnivals to ease back into the season. The Killcare carnival was a lot of fun, held in huge conditions! The ski was cancelled, and the board saw some huge wipeouts, right Griffo! We also went to Fingal Beach with big seas and had a good hit out with some of the Hunter clubs.

The East Coast Masters is always a fabulous carnival, well run and so many home club competitors! We love to see everyone come out and support such a great carnival. We managed to field both male and female teams with Tricia Hamilton, Hollie Spender and myself entering the swim teams, and in the males, Mick Aungle, Scott Griffin, Blake White, Sigi Hill, Scott Mortimer and Gregg Armstrong all combing to make numerous, successful teams. Unfortunately this was also the last carnival for some, with Scott coming off his board awkwardly and requiring a shoulder reconstruction, and Michael being hit with a ski on his legs!

Branch was a quiet carnival, but also successful, with many branch championships being claimed by Blake, Sigi and myself.

State came rolling around and Blake, Gregg, Reece, Sigi, Hollie and myself put our hard training to the test. We had some awesome results to be very proud of. Gregg teamed with Reece in the double ski to bring home bronze, a great achievement in his first year of masters’ competition. Blake won silver in the surf race, Sigi won silver in the swim and teamed with Blake to win another silver in the board rescue. I was lucky and won silver in the swim, board, ski and ironman. Unfortunately the carnival was cancelled before all events were completed.

The one we all train for, Aussies, was soon upon us. Blake, Reece, Gregg, Sigi and I all made the trip to Kurrawa. The conditions were typical, sweep to the left, double break and messy surf combined with everyone in separate areas. Sigi was the first race of the day and he did us proud, bringing home a silver in the surf race. He then backed it up with a huge swim, and won the rescue tube, what an achievement!!! Blake wasn't going to be outdone, and won a bronze in the ironman. The boys then combined to claim bronze in the board rescue. A great effort! When I heard Sigi had won some medals, I didn't want to go home empty handed and thought it would be good to match him. I also won the rescue tube and bagged a silver in the swim. It's not every year husband and wife take out the same events in their age groups!

 
Once again thanks go to Sean Kenny, Kendrick Louis, Sigi Hill, and Reece Bosward for coaching us in the water. We are so fortunate to have such a supportive committee and club. We really do have an amazing club, and this is evident in all the members we have who put in their time to keep us so strong on all levels: patrols, officials, committees, etc

As we continue to move forward in our quest to builder a bigger and stronger team, I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their support and encouragement.

I thought long and hard as to whom should be the recipient of our inaugural Masters’ Competitor of the Year Award. We have had some outstanding results on the beach and in the water, however when looking beyond results, I have awarded it to Sigi Hill. Not only has he achieved great success, he has been instrumental in the success of the team in the water. He largely undertook the swim coaching, ladies board training and organizing the teams for the carnivals. Congratulations Sigi.

Robyn Hill
Masters Captain - 0425239235