WAUCHOPE-Bonny Hills Surf Life Saving Club would be satisfied with what their surfboat crews achieved in a challenging 2019-2020 season.
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The club was meant to be heading to an Easter carnival next week, but all crews will instead be staying at home.
Their open men's crew saved their best performance for what would be their last race of the season at Blacksmiths Beach last month.
Despite missing out on a finals spot at the NSW Surf Life Saving state championships by the barest of margins, they now know they can mix it with the best when the action returns next season.
Three months ago, they were only competing at the North Coast series until they headed to Queenscliff in January.
Club sweep Steve Monaghan said the crew finished on a high, yet they could still consider themselves unlucky.
"They just missed out on getting into a state final by millimetres so can consider themselves unlucky not to get in the final," he said.
"That was a top six result against some Australian and NSW champion crews in that category so they stepped up big time.
"That was definitely the best any of our open crews have performed at state."
That was a top six result against some Australian and NSW champion crews in that category so they stepped up big time.
- Wauchope-Bonny Hills Surf Life Saving Club boat sweep Steve Monaghan
The club's reserve men's crew also suffered some bad luck when conditions forced the event to be shortened.
"They were in probably the toughest division because half the field was cut after two races," Monaghan said.
"It was savage as hell because time constraints and the conditions were really unfriendly; there was a massive shore dump and some big waves out the back.
"There was lots of carnage and one area was closed down because the swell wasn't kind to us."
The club's two masters crews also ended the season on a positive note with the ladies crew claiming a bronze medal while the men's crew picked up a silver medal.
"They surprised everyone, including themselves," Monaghan said.
The Boatettes will also be stronger again next year after successfully making the transition from under-19 to the under-23 women's division.
Half their crew could still compete in the under-19 division, but they would have to split up.
