Umina third in women's 'masters'

At the recent State surf titles, the first ever Masters Ladies boat race event was held with Umina Surf Life Saving Club coming third.

This crew consisted of Phil Welch sweep and Joane Upton, Darien Mills, Karen Paull and Sandra Goldard the rowers.

Our under-19s men's crew made the quarter finals.

At the Australian titles, held at Karrawa in Queensland, Hayden Emery came a credible 11th in the board section.

In the Masters section, two Umina male boat crews competed in what was the biggest Masters event ever.

The Masters "B" crew made the semi-finals and the Masters "A" crew made the final, coming fourth.

The crew was Mich Coffey, Alan Griffins, John Giddey, Brian Paull and Phil Welch.

In the senior boat event, the women's crew and the under-21s crew both made it through to the second day's rowing despite having to battle huge seas.

The icing on the cake was Umina's under-19s crew consisting of Mich Coffey sweep, Nathan Godfrey, James Irwin, Wes Cable and Jason Lavis who made it to the semi-finals and were unlucky not to make it through to the final.

These young men are experiencing their first year as boat rowers and were all Umina surf club juniors.

Their sweep; Mich Coffey, who is a little older than his rowers was also a junior of Umina Surf Club.

Mich not only got the under-19s through to the semi-finals but took the Masters "A" crew to the final.

This achievement must cement Mich Coffey as one of the top sweeps in Australia, as the commentator on the beach said about Mich: "This is great skill by the Umina sweep and this is brilliant sweeping by the Umina sweep and those who witnessed it must agree."

On Good Friday, the surf club will host novelty events followed by a fish fry. Any member who turns up will get a start in a team and all are welcome.

Presentation night will be held at the surf club on Saturday, May 5.

Tickets must be pre booked. Telephone Karen Paull on 4343 1452 for details.

The annual meeting will be held on Sunday, May 6, from 1 to 1.30pm at the surf club.

Anyone interested in rowing surf boats, paddling boards or skis, swimming or running with the Umina Surf Club, from five to 100 years old, should ring the president Brian Paull on 4343 1452 or secretary on 4342 3327.

Brian Paull, April 4