Junior events moved to Terrigal
The junior events of the NSW Age Surf Life Saving Championships were held over the weekend of Saturday March 2 and 3 with many of the events moved from Ocean Beach-Umina to Terrigal due to the weather conditions.
Despite the multiple program changes, thousands of nippers aged eight to 14 had the opportunity to compete.
In the Age Championships, Umina placed 13th and Ocean Beach placed 36th.
Lailani Montgomery of Umina placed fifth in the Under-9 Female Beach Sprint event and Tom Rodham of Ocean Beach placed sixth in the Under-9 Male Beach Sprint event.
Umina's Kirsten Miller placed sixth in the Under-11 Female Surf Race and club mate Mimosa Henderson placed fourth in the Under-13 Female Iron Woman.
Umina's Lachlan Braddish won the Under-11 Male Surf Race, placed second in the Under-11 Male Iron Man and first in the Under-13 Female Board Race while brother Harry placed second in the Under-13 Male Beach Sprint.
In the Under-14 Female Surf Race, Umina's Rachel Wood and Jemma Smith placed first and fourth respectively.
Killcare's Chloe Penn placed fourth in the Under-13 Female Beach Flags.
Umina placed third in the Under-14 Female Surf Team event with a team comprised of Mimosa Henderson, Mollie Murphy, Jemma Smith and Rachel Wood.
Rachel Wood also placed fifth in the Under-14 Female Iron Woman event and club mate Kieran Braddish placed sixth in the Under-14 Male Beach Sprint.
Officials who have been involved with surf lifesaving state championships for close to four decades said they couldn't recall worse conditions for a NSW junior state final.
"This weekend has been very trying for everyone," said Surf Life Saving NSW president Mr Tony Haven.
"I'd like to thank the competitors and their parents for their patience and understanding given the program changes and split venues."
Despite the driving rain and wind, Central Coast clubs fared well over the carnival, which was originally meant to be a three-day event, but finished up a condensed two-day program.
Media Release, 3 Mar 2013
Alix Vanny, SLSNSW