Lorne’s Under 13 Nippers make their mark at state championships

THE Lorne SLSC Under 13 Nippers have gone out on a high in their last year in the age group, winning all but one of their team events at the 2021 LSV Junior Victorian State Championships.

Held at Warrnambool earlier this month, Lorne came seventh overall in the team standings with many individual highlights and achievements.

The club’s Nippers competition manager Kirilee Wilson said the championship was a weekend of big, challenging surf, and the Under 13 age group competed at a high standard with close finishes in all races.

She said Lorne’s Under 13s – Will Newton, Jerome Palmer, Ryder Vearing, Jack McKerron, Jesse Russell, Thomas Maclennan, Albey Berry, Darcy Ludlow, Hugo Walsh and Ollie Young – had two teams in most of the finals, and won five out of their six events:

• Surf teams: Gold and 6th
• Board relay: Gold medal and 10th
• Beach relay: Gold medal and semi-finalist
• Belt and reel: Gold medal
• Board rescue: Silver medal and 4th
• Aquacam: Gold medal and 9th.

“The Under 13 boys team of 10 started together in Under 7s at Nipper summer program and Under 9s at the state champs – they have grown together in skill, team spirit and friendship,” Wilson said.

“They have had many mentors, both adults and youths, from across the club.

“In addition, our Under 13 family group has grown to include five accredited LSV officials, six adult bronzes, five siblings with bronzes, two foundation coaches, a communication lead, a uniforms/social co-ordinator, and willing helpers in all forms who have all contributed to the squad training sessions and carnivals over the past five seasons.”

She said individual achievements included Jerome Palmer winning gold in flags for the fifth year in a row, and Will Newton winning gold in iron for the second year in a row, plus silver in the surf race.

The team will now move into the youth/senior competition, as they achieve their SRC and Bronze Medallion and become active patrolling members.