WINNING an Australian Surf Life Saving Titles gold medal is what more than 7,000 competitors from 313 clubs traveled to Maroochydore hoping to achieve.
The Wauchope Bonny Hills Surf Life Saving Club (WBHSLSC) sent a small but competitive team to the championships, which were conducted over eight days from April 16 to 24.
Veteran competitor Keith Charles managed to bag a gold medal in the 60-64 years male beach flags event, and also placed fifth in the 60-64 male beach sprint.
Team-mate and fellow masters competitor George Fowler won a silver medal in the same event for the 70 years and over age group.
Ski paddler Elaine Walker finished just out of the medals in what her team-mates described as an "awesome performance". She crossed the finish line in fifth place in the semi final of her single ski race, before going one better to finish fourth in the final.
Taylor Sargeant swam her way into the semi final of the under 15s surf race, and defending Australian Champion Isaac Sanderson ran hard in the under 15s 2km beach run, finishing in fourth place.
Hugh Stewart was in brilliant form, making two finals and finishing sixth in the under 15s surf race and fifteenth in the ironman.
The club's Australian Masters overall rank and pointscore total saw them finish ahead of many of the top Sydney clubs, and in front of local rivals Tacking Point and Port Macquarie.
"George Fowler was amazing on the sand, and Keith Charles was too good in his beach flags event, winning a nail-biting final," said WBHSLSC Lifesaving Director, Michelle Kirkwood.
"Congratulations to all of the WBH competitors on these fantastic results."
"The club would like to thank everyone who supported the team, helped with fundraising and travelled to the Sunshine Coast to cheer them on."
"Great job guys, you've done all of our club members proud."
