Surf championships held at Ocean Beach

The NSW Endurance Championships were held at Ocean Beach on Saturday, October 29, and marked the opening of the 2011-2012 Surf Sports season.

It is the first time the event has been held on the Central Coast since 2005, according to Surf Life Saving NSW surf sports manager Mr Chris Parker.

Surf boat races were included in the event timetable for the first time and the ski race was open to the general public with the iconic Lion Island as the turning buoy.

The swim and soft sand run was also open to the general public again this year.

"The NSW Endurance Championships is a great community event and we are very pleased to welcome the general public to participate," said Mr Parker.

"Ocean swims have boomed in NSW in recent years so this event provides a unique opportunity for the average member of the public to challenge themselves alongside surf lifesavers of all ages between 15 and 50 plus," he said.

He said the elite competitors used the Endurance Championships as a test of their winter training.

Media Release, 26 Oct 2011 Arielle Bird, SLS NSW