Sunshine Coast clubs have produced strong showings at the Queensland Youth Surf Life Saving Championships, where a local captured a major accolade.
Local clubs filled three of the top five overall placings at the three-day event for under-11s to under-15s at Maroochydore Beach. Meanwhile, the upcoming seniors competition will be held at Mooloolaba instead Maroochydore due to forecast swell and wind.
Alexandra Headland (2nd), Maroochydore (4th) and Mooloolaba (5th) surf life saving clubs were in the thick of the action at the youth titles, while Gold Coast outfit North Burleigh claimed its third straight title.
Alexandra Headland’s Tyler Johnson was co-awarded the Matthew Barclay Memorial Trophy for winning the under-15 Ironman event.
“It means heaps,” he said.
“I’ve now got four medals, which is pretty amazing.”
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The trophy was named in honour of Matthew Barclay: a Maroochydore talent who lost his life, aged 14, in big surf at the Australian championships at Kurrawa in 2022.
North Burleigh’s Summer Murray was crowned the under-15 Ironwoman champion. She said her victory was especially meaningful after Matthew’s father Steve addressed competitors before the race.
“It feels amazing,” she said. “I’m incredibly honoured to win it.”
On the final day of racing, Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club delivered a dominant performance in the under-13 girls board race, claiming first and second place.
Isabelle Czajkowskyj overtook clubmate Billie Berg on a wave in the closing moments of the race.
“It’s great having really good people around me to challenge me,” she said.
Billie showed sportsmanship at the finish.
“I’m just glad it was her and not anyone else on the wave next to me,” she said.
A series of adaptive events were also held on Sunday. Competitors of all abilities contested surf and beach disciplines.
The senior state championships will be held from February 27 to March 1.
Surf Life Saving Queensland stated that the event would be shifted from Maroochydore to Mooloolaba “due to the forecast swell and wind that will impact the Sunshine Coast this weekend”.
“Event organisers have assessed the current conditions, as well as the weekend surf and weather forecasts for Maroochydore. Following this assessment, it has been determined that all water and beach events will be relocated to Mooloolaba Beach, towards the river mouth end of the beach.
“The safety of competitors and officials remains the highest priority for event organisers. Conditions will continue to be closely monitored, with regular updates provided over the coming days.”
Further updates will be communicated via the Surf Life Saving Queensland website and official SLSQ social media and event channels.
Youth championships standings: North Burleigh 339, Alexandra Headland 287, Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park 261, Maroochydore 235, Mooloolaba 197, Tallebudgera 170, Northcliffe 161, Metropolitan Caloundra 159, North Barrier Branch 144, Mermaid Beach 135.
