February was a busy month for Umina Surf Life Savers, who participated in six different events throughout the month.
Umina Surf Life Saving Club members had an excellent showing at the SLS Nippers Branch Championships held on February 4. Hosted by Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club, the SLS Branch Championships were well attended by local clubs and clubs from the north and Greater Sydney regions. Team Umina started the day well with a silver medal in the March Past event. Jack Sloan managed a silver in the R and R signals as well. The Under 9’s did well with five team medals, with individual medals going to Phoebe Graf in Surf Race and Peter Iigo in Beach Sprint.
The Under 10’s managed three team medals with individual medals to Sophia Grey and Ronnie Jordan. The Under 11’s won three team medals with individual medals going to Sienna Scahill and to Charli Wouters. The Under 12’s won five team medals, with individual medals going to Ellena Grey, Davara Marshallk, Mikayley Fisher and Jed Hoyland. In the Under 13’s, Finlay Healey won gold in the 1km Beach Run The oldest age group being the Under 14’s, managed two team medals, with individual medals going to Bethwyn Caller and Tom Rodham. The Umina Masters competed at their Branch Championships on February 10 at Toowoon Bay as well. In point score, Umina came a close fourth behind Toowoon Bay, Avoca and Terrigal. Many team medals were won with individual gold medals going to David Benson (30-34s Flags and sprints), Steve Devivo (45-49s flags) Bill Cook (over 70s Ironman, Tube race, board) and Christine Bishop (40-44 Ironperson, Ski, board and surf race). Umina boat crews also did well on February 10 at MacMasters Beach under tough conditions. Gold medals went to three crews, the Open women (G Stringers), Women’s 200 (Sheroes) and Men’s 120 (Kaisen). Umina also managed a bronze in the boat relay (G Stringers,Kaisens and Mad Dogs) Umina was well represented at the Central Coast Branch Championships which took place on February 11 at MacMasters Beach.
Umina placed third overall on point score and medalled in nearly every team event. In the Opens, Jemma Smith won the Ironperson and Ski while Rachel Wood won the surf race. In the 19’s age group, Mimi Henderson won two silvers with Jaz Rodwell managing a bronze in the board event. The hotly contested Under 17’s male age group was dominated by Lachlan Braddish claiming gold in the Ironman and Board races. Blake Hessell won the surf race, with Brock Ray also winning gold in 2km beach run. Kirsten Miler won gold in Ironwomen event with Bronte Smith winning the ski race and Georgia Ray claiming gold in the 2km beach run. Tom Rodham was fast on the sand in the Under 15’s boys winning, silver medals in both flags and sprint events. The Branch First Aid Championships were held at Soldiers Beach on February 17. Gold medals went to Under 15’s mixed team of Avya Marshall, Emma Talty and Mollie and Hannah Murphy in the Under 19’s mixed group. The Branch Champion Lifesaver was held at Soldiers Beach on February 18. The multi-discipline event extends the whole day with five physical events combined with CPR and a knowledge test. Umina was well represented with gold medals going to Shelley Smith and Kerry Armstrong Smith in the masters, and Jemma Smith in the opens, while Mollie Murphy managed first in the Under 19’s. Silver medals went to Christine Bishop in the Masters and Bethwyn Caller, Georgia Ray and Blake Hessell in aged groups. Mathew Kearney claimed bronze in the Under 15’s boys.
SOURCE: Media release, 26 Feb 2018 Richard Braddish, Umina Surf Life Saving Club