Surf club members bring home world medals

Umina Surf Life Saving Club members Jemma Smith and Rachel Wood have returned from the International Life Saving Federation's World Lifesaving Championships with a combined medal tally of six gold, four silver and three bronze for the Australian team in the pool and surf events.

The Championships take place every two years and involve 14 days of competition attracting between 2500 and 5000 competitors and officials from around the world.

Jemma Smith and her younger sister Bronte both competed for Umina SLSC at the conclusion of the international event in the Inter Club Competition both in surf and pool events.

Although Bronte did not medal, she gained some top 10 placings and was the youngest ever Umina representative at a world event.

Jemma, as an individual Umina competitor, won three gold and one bronze medal in pool and surf.

Kerry Armstrong-Smith and Julie Jowett also competed in the Masters Interclub events for Umina with outstanding results.

Kerry won a gold and silver medal in the surf and Julie a silver in the beach flags.

Garry Mensforth from Umina Surf Club was chosen to be the team manager for the Australian Open Team and a support person for the Umina team.

In January, Umina will have more international representation as Claire Gaffney, Harry Braddish, Jazmyn Rodwell and Mimi Henderson have been selected to compete as part of the Central Coast Surf Lifesaving Team for the Trans-Tasman Challenge in New Zealand.

Media release, 27 Sep 2016

Christine Lavers, Umina Surf Life Saving Club