Mid North Coast surf life savers exceeded expectations at the Interbranch Championships at The Lakes Surf Life Saving Club on the Central Coast.
The championships are a unique event on the surf sports calendar, consisting of three male and female competitors in the under 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19 and open age groups who compete in both ocean and beach events.
After day one, Mid North Coast held a slender lead over North Coast – an opponent they have only beaten once in 10 years.
Team manager Mel Cockshutt said the performances of all of the age groups was better than last year.
“All of the kids have done really well and there have been a few podiums,” she said.
Tacking Point Surf Club’s Finn Askew finished with a silver medal in the under-15 male surf race behind Umina’s Lachlan Braddish.
He then backed it up with a third-place in the under-15 Ironman event
Port Macquarie’s Tayla Maybon finished with a top 10 performance in the under-15 female surf race.
Other notable performances included Tacking Point Surf Club’s Taj Thrower who finished second in the under-12 Ironman event.
Tacking Point’s Jamie Laing finished sixth in the under-12 male beach sprint event.
Cockshutt said the performance of Mia Bales from Wauchope-Bonny Hills surf club was one she was proud of.
Bales finished third in the under-13 female beach sprint.
“Little Mia performed really well,” she said.
