Sunshine Coast nippers are celebrating a medal haul from the Queensland Youth Championships, where a selection of juniors made waves as potential stars of the future.
The strength of Alexandra Headland and Maroochydore clubs was on show at North Kirra, where they finished in the top five on the overall standings.
Noosa Heads, Sunshine Beach, Coolum, Marcoola, Mudjimba, Kawana Waters, Dicky Beach and Met Caloundra were also among the many clubs at the three-day carnival for under-11s to under-15s.
It was the first major surf sports event since the national championships in April 2019, because of the impact of COVID-19 in 2020.
“It was hard to know what to expect from them because they didn’t compete last year,” Alexandra Headland coach Jack Hansen said.
“So, this was a really great opportunity to get in and have a hit-out and see where they stand at state level.”
Alexandra Headland youngsters were in the thick of the action, especially Byron Oliphant, who won the under-13 boys ironman, board race and surf race.
“He works and trains hard and is extremely committed,” Hansen said. “He is always in the water.”
“Byron put together a fantastic weekend of racing and he did the triple, which is an outstanding feat.”
Byron was dominant in the finals.
“Watching him on Sunday, he pushed and challenged the pace right from the start of races,” Hansen said.
“He was consistent. There didn’t seem to be a weakness on board, swim or run.”
He said Byron had the potential to develop into a surf sports star.
“It all comes back to hard work and commitment,” he said.
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“I’ve seen young people go on to do amazing things and I’ve also seen many good juniors fall out of the sport.”
He said the youngster’s attitude was a positive sign.
“Speaking to Byron and his dad, he didn’t really go into the event with many expectations.”
“He just wanted to do as well as he could and that’s a great way to be. I think he really likes what he does and that makes a big difference.”
Club-mate Sophie Wall claimed a breakthrough state title (under-15 girls board).
“It’s been quite a long road for her,” Hansen said.
“She has been committed to her training, to try and achieve what she was capable of.
“She hasn’t necessarily been a winner from a young age but through hard work and commitment she has won her first individual medal at the state championships and it’s a gold, so that’s outstanding.”
Maroochydore’s Archie Ray was another Sunshine Coaster to shine at the carnival.
He showed plenty of spark to win the under-11 boys ironman and surf race.
North Burleigh was the carnival’s top club.
The Queensland Senior and Masters State Championships will be held at Tugun on March 26-28.
Sunshine Coast clubs will again be well represented
The state championships also provide the seniors, masters and older kids (under-14s and under-15s) with a chance to get some competition in before the Australian championships on the Sunshine Coast in April.
SUNSHINE COAST WINNERS
Met Caloundra – All Age Beach Relay
Jaz Edmondstone (Met Caloundra) – U11 female beach sprint
Sophie Herbon (Met Caloundra) – U11 female surf race
Archie Ray (Maroochydore) – U11 male ironman, U11 male surf race
Ruby Twiggy Williams (Maroochydore) – U12 female surf board
Bailey Noy (Met Caloundra) – U12 male beach sprint
Stanley Jarrott (Maroochydore) – U12 male surf race
Mooloolaba – U13 female beach relay
Britt Ackerley (Maroochydore) – U13 female surf board
Jed Rowlands (Sunshine Beach) – U13 male 1km beach run
Maroochydore – U13 male beach replay
Jasper Wiseman (Maroochydore) U13 male beach sprint
Sunshine Beach – U13 male Cameron relay
Byron Oliphant (Alexandra Headland) – U13 male ironman, U13 male surf board, U13 male surf race
Noosa Heads – U13 male surf board relay
Noosa Heads – U13 male surf board rescue
Maroochydore – U13 male surf team
Alexandra Headland – U14 female Cameron relay
Eliza Parish (Alexandra Headland) – U14 female surf board
Alexandra Headland – U14 surf board rescue
Met Caloundra – U14 male beach relay
Sophie Wall (Alexandra Headland)- U15 female surf board
Met Caloundra – U15 female surf board rescue
Lucia Richards (Met Caloundra) – U15 female surf race
Alexandra Headland – U15 male beach relay
Wil Kruger (Alexandra Headland) – U15 male beach sprint
