Returned from surf titles

The Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club has returned from the NSW State Open Surf Championships with an overall placing of 14th, third of the Central Coast clubs, according to club director of surf sports Ms Robyn Carr.

Ms Carr said Ocean Beach was represented in all disciplines of the life saving events from the patrol competition through to the surf boat races and board riding events.

"The club won three events, placed second in three events and third in five events in the open competition," Ms Carr said.

"This allowed members to come home with four gold medals, nine silver medals and 10 bronze medals.

"Competition started two weeks ago where all life saving events were contested the same weekend as the junior titles.

"Ocean Beach members competed in each age division of the male and female champion lifesaver, two teams entered into the open patrol and three teams in the first aid competition. "From these events, Ocean Beach came away with eight placing's including two gold, three silver and three bronze.

"The second week of competition saw much calmer conditions than what the juniors experienced the week before.

"The Masters competitors held their events the Thursday before the Opens and unfortunately luck was not on our side with no medals coming our way.

"Ocean Beach was represented in the boat area with four crews, Open Men teams the Pygmies and Juniors, Under-23 Males the LTD's and our newest female crew the Under-23 girls OBHayve.

"Not the best of weekends for the men's crews but the girls of the OBHayve crew were pleased with their performance and were able to knock out the Avoca crew who were the branch champions.

"Not bad for a crew of girls all of whom are just 16 years of age.

"The five Under-15 members this year were joined by four Under-14s and one Under-13 competitor and even though no water medals were achieved each gave their best making many finals and in some instances just missing out on the medals.

"Elyssia Gasparotto known mostly as a water competitor showed her all round ability and defended the title she won last year by taking out the two kilometre beach run again this year.

"The traditional event of R&R was contested by three teams from Ocean Beach, two men and one female team.

"Both male teams contested the five man and six person R&R events.

"Over the two days of competition the men's team of Grant and Drew Hayes, Dean Hillard, Nathan Lakejav and Matt Staples came away with a bronze medal and determination to make it a gold medal at the Australian Titles."

Ms Carr said the Ocean Beach juniors also enjoyed success at their State Titles coming home with a number of medals.

"Alessandra Gasparotto continued her success from last year winning the Under-13 female iron person and placing third in the surf race," Ms Carr said.

"The Under-12 female board relay of Jasmine Mandy, Caitlin Oakes and Emma Brady picked up silver and the Under-14 male board relay team of Jacob Mandy, Blake Arahill and Wade Hannell finished the year with a gold medal.

"These three boys were undefeated in this event all season and finished their junior years on a high note.

"The club has been successful so far this season and this year we have our biggest touring team in over 20 years heading off to Queensland to contest the Australian Surf Titles.

"The club is hoping to match and exceed its success from last year and wish all the competitors the best of luck.

"With the life saving events competitors must qualify through their respective state titles to contest the Australian Titles. Ocean Beach members to be representing NSW at the Australian Titles are Aaron Camp, Brooke Carr, Rebecca Cooper, Katie Dixon, Jason Gauci, Richard Grimmond, Jessica Mensforth, Jessica Moyes, Shane Ross, Bryce Sainty and Shelley Smith."

Press release, 5 Mar 2010 Robyn Carr, Ocean Beach SLSC