Surf lifesavers eye country title

A STRONG contingent of Far North Coast surf lifesavers will compete for club bragging rights and a NSW country title this weekend.

Hundreds of competitors will take part in the NSW country championships at Warilla Barrack Point between January 24-26.

Cudgen is expected to perform well after finishing runner-up to the hosts last year.

It has been one of the dominant clubs from the Far North Coast branch along with Byron Bay and Lennox Head.

The event features the best surf lifesavers from country clubs in nippers, open age and masters competition.

Cleo Harper-Green is the junior club captain at Cudgen.

She said the juniors are in good shape after a 10-day intensive training program to prepare for the championships.

“We’ve done a lot of extra training to prepare for the event,” Cleo said.

“We always seem to be up there on the podium at country and we want to keep that going.”

Cleo competes in the under-14 girl’s and has entered board, iron, swim and team events.

“I’m excited to see how all our under-14s go, it will be the last nippers carnival for a lot of them,” Cleo said.

“We have a lot of other club members in masters and age events that I look forward to watching, too.

“There is plenty of good vibes around at this time of year and everyone just wants to get out there and compete for the club.

The event is known for being a more relaxed carnival before the NSW State and Australian Championships in March and April.

Cleo hopes to attend both events, having never competed at the Australian titles.

“It’s something I really want to do this year,” she said.

“It’s lot of work and training after school, but definitely worth it.

“Just to get to this point and travelling to the south coast takes a lot of commitment, so I’m really grateful for everyone at the club.

The 2025 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships will be held on the Gold Coast, at North Kirra and Tugan from March 29-April 6.

The Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Nipper and Youth Championships will run concurrently.