Record numbers at endurance championships

A record number of the state's best surf sports competitors battled it out for the title of NSW's number one endurance athlete at the 2011 NSW Endurance Championships held at Ocean Beach on Saturday, October 29.

The event was well supported by the masters' competitors and also attracted some of Australia's leading ironmen and women including Tom Atkinson, Trent Martin, Tara Coleman and Amy Nurthen.

"The event was a huge success with excellent entry numbers and some very close competition across the board," said Surf Life Saving NSW surf sports manager Mr Chris Parker.

"It was amazing to see how close some of the races were over the extended endurance courses."

In the first event of the day, the Open Male Surf Boat race, only one second separated the North Cronulla crew and Austinmer crew as they crossed the line in first and second place.

Amy Nurthen of Terrigal was victorious in the women's Ironwoman event and beat Tara Coleman from Maroubra in a sprint to the finish.

In the men's Ironman event, Tom Atkinson of Queenscliff started his year well and won the event ahead of Trent Martin from Avoca who placed second.

Ocean Beach's own Mark Davis competed in the 30-39 age group and placed second in the Male Surf Race, second in the Ironman and second in the Male Ski while James White, also of Ocean Beach, placed third in the 30-39 Male Ski.

Umina's Michael Magurren placed third in the 30-39 Male Beach Run and Gary Mathews placed second in the 40-49 Male Beach Run and beat Jason Tucker of Ocean Beach who came in third.

Gary Wilson and Rick Boylan of Umina placed third and fourth respectively in the 40-49 Ironman event.

Umina competitors Hollie Spender and Christine Bishop both competed in the 30-39 age group events.

Hollie placed sixth in the Female Surf Race, third in the Ironwoman, third in the Female Beach Run and fifth in the Female Board while Christine placed third in the Female Ski, fourth in the Ironwoman, fifth in the Female Beach Run and sixth in the Female Board.

Kerry Armstrong Smith of Umina competed in the 40-49 age group and placed second in the Female Ski, sixth in the Ironwoman and fourth in the Female Board while Wendy Cook, also of Umina, placed fifth in the 50 plus Female Ski.

Ocean Beach's Katie Dixon placed fifth in the Open Female Beach Run while Alannah White, also of Ocean Beach, placed second in the under-19 Female ski respectively.

Umina's Hayley Braddish placed third in the under-17 female Beach Run, Helen Krucler sixth in the under-17 Ironwoman and Deb Braddish second in the 50 plus Female Beach Run.

Media Release, 31 Oct 2011 Donna Wishart, SLSNSW