Club shines at country titles

CUDGEN Surf Life Saving Club’s female athletes delivered standout performances at the NSW Country Championships, helping the club finish second overall after a close points battle with Warilla Barrack Point.

Under-17 competitor Isabella Tate dominated the carnival, winning the swim, board, ski and iron events in her division, while Hayley Smith continued to impress in the open division, claiming gold in the iron and ski events.

Smith has been a consistent performer since her days as a nipper.

Cudgen wrapped up its campaign with an impressive haul of 73 gold medals.

The Far North Coast branch had three clubs finish in the top 10, with Yamba placing fourth and Byron Bay sixth.

This is the third straight year the host club has won the event, equaling three-peats previously achieved by Byron Bay and Cudgen.

Cudgen junior club captain Cleo Harper-Green led a strong group of nippers, with several standout performances.

She credited club coach Stephen George, who ran a 10-day intensive training camp to prepare the team for the carnival.

“We’ve been well trained, credit has to go to coach George,” Cleo said.

“I just want to thank everyone involved at the club.

“It takes a lot of work and it’s a big effort to get so many people to the south coast at this time of year.”

Clubmate Fletcher Burdekin won gold in the under-17 male board and ski, while Niamh Sharpe claimed gold in the open female board.

Other Far North Coast competitors also shone, with Byron Bay’s Jack Keough taking gold in the under-13 male board and Lennox Head nipper Amy Roberts winning the under-13 female board.

The best athletes from the Country Championships will now prepare to compete at the NSW State Titles, which will be held between February and March at Freshwater Beach in Sydney.