Last week the Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships were held on the Sunshine Coast at three different beaches; water events were held at Maroochydore, boats, Alexandra Headland and beach events at Mooloolaba surf clubs.
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A contingent of Forster masters took on the competition over two days of action with medals galore.
Forster was featured in beach, water and boat disciplines.
Laura Thurtell had another successful event coming away with two gold for the iron woman and tube rescue and two silver for the single surf ski and surf race.
There were plenty of great competitors in the 50-54 age group and Laura had to work hard in heats and semifinals in challenging conditions to make it through to the finals.
Laura also competed in team events with Kylie Wood and Bonnie Danuser, making for a very hectic few days.
The girls secured a fourth in the ski relay and they were up near the leaders in the board relay and in the iconic taplin relay.
Bonnie Danuser placed third in the 45-49 surf board race just shaded by Joanne Kay, Byron Bay and Anna Ballara, Northcliff who took home the gold and silver.
Bonnie was in the hunt for gold all the way and was just pipped in the run up the beach to the finish line.
On the beach Beth Lee and Kim Winter gained silver medals in the beach flags in their respective age groups.
Both girls had to work very hard to make it through to the run-off for the gold medal and were just shaded by their opponents.
Beth Le by Catherine Donaldson from Kurrawa SLSC, who took gold in the 35-39-years beach flags with Kim just missing out to Wendy Pepper, Clovelly SLSC, with gold in the 50-54-years beach flags.
It was very exciting watching the heats unfold in this extremely explosive event requiring speed, agility and determination.
Beth and Kim also backed up for the sprints and both were in the mix with a fifth and fourth in the final.
Karen Kelly made it through to the semifinal in her beach sprint and is also looking forward to next year.
Our veteran boaties just missed out on the final but they will be back training in a week or so ready to lay a platform for next season.
Back with a vengeance they say.
Thank you to our officials for taking the time to travel to the Sunshine Coast as without them we can’t compete.
