Rachel takes medals

Umina Surf Lifesaving Club member 11-year-old Rachel Wood has taken out a number of medals in the Central Coast Branch Championships held at Avoca on the weekend of February 12 and 13.

These included gold medals in the individual surf swim, surf team, board relay, board rescue and a silver medal in the ironperson.

Rachel also placed first in the Under-12s Newcastle Permanent Iron Person Series held on Saturday, February 5, after winning the same event last year in the Under-11 division.

Umina Surf Lifesaving Club secretary Ms Christine Lavers said Rachel was aiming to peak her performance for the NSW Surf Lifesaving Championships to be held at Cudgen Beach in early March

She said Rachel's coaches Ms Kerry Armstrong Smith and Mr Mick Magurren believe she could do just as well this year at the State Surf Titles.

"She has been putting in a lot of effort and focus towards her goals," said Ms Lavers.

"Rachel is just as good a competitor in the pool and trains at Peninsula Leisure Centre under head coach John Young.

"Rachel has already competed in NSW State Swimming this year and is looking forward to doing well also at the NSW Country Swimming Championships at the end of February," she said.

Rachel was also selected earlier this year to be part of the Central Coast Branch team for the NSW Interbranch Surf Championships.

Email, 16 Feb 2011 Christine Lavers, Umina SLSC