Umina competes at State championships

Umina Surf Life Saving Club members travelled to Kingscliffe to compete in the NSW State Surf Life Saving Championships earlier in the month.

Lachlan Braddish in the Under-10s came home with a gold medal in the individual Surf Swim and, along with his team mates Lachlan Mcleod, Kai Darwin and Charlie Polson, placed third in the State for their Surf Swim Team event.

Lachlan Braddish and Kai Darwin then had to travel home to compete in the regional swimming carnivals at Homebush.

Rachel Wood, Kiesha Bovill, Mollie Murphy and Jemma Smith won a silver medal in the Under-13s Surf Swim Team.

Jemma Smith competed up two age groups in the Senior Carnival and won a bronze medal in the Under-15s 2km beach run.

"Every year someone in the Under-13s does well and their success is thanks to their coaches Kerry Armstrong Smith and Mick Magurren," said club secretary Ms Christine Lavers.

The Masters then backed the next week and amongst them won five gold medals, four silver and one bronze.

Standouts were Deb Braddish, Christine Bishop, Kerry Armstrong Smith, Wendy Cook, Mick Magurren, Rick Boylan, Steve Murphy, Bill Cook, Rob McLeod, Dave Gaffney and Peter Braddish.

The majority of these Masters are now heading off to the Australian Titles in Kurrawa in April.

"Umina members also did exceptionally well in the life saving events due to the coaching of Paul Sharpe and Kerry Armstrong Smith," said Ms Lavers.

Jack Waining came third in the Under-15 Champion Life Saver as did Teigan Miller in the Under-17 Champion Life Saver.

The Under-17 Patrol Competitors, made up of Teigan Miller, Jack Waining, Jess Thomas and Jack Dixon, placed first while the Open Patrol team comprising Paul Sharpe, Rick Boylan, Dave Gaffney, Christine Bishop, Dave Bishop and Warren Whitney came third.

Jess and James Rooke placed second in the Under-19 First Aid Competition.

"Umina has high expectations for next year's State Titles which will be held at our home beach and should be encouraging for all our members," said Ms Lavers.

Media Release, 16 Mar 2012 Christine Lavers, Umina SLSC