Coolum wins board competition

Phillip Gabel from Coolum at the Queensland Board riding Championships at Sunshine Beach.

Brett Wortman

Coolum Beach Surf Club’s board riders took out the champion club title at the Queensland titles at Sunshine Beach recently.

As well as the top overall honour, Coolum riders also scored 10 individual medals from the event.

Pat Lynch took out the 40 and over short board event and was runner-up in the long board format while Jason Moore scored silver and a close fourth in the same 30 and over categories.

Coolum’s other success in the senior male ranks was Matt Gable in the open men’s long board, finishing third.

Not to be outdone by her male club mates, Erica Henderson had two podium placings with a win in the 30 and over women’s short board and a third in the long board.

Tahla Hammond also won bronze in the open women’s short board.

In the junior section, Jake Vincent bagged the 15-years short board boys’ title and little sister Jaleesa ran away with gold in the 12-year girls’ section.

Surf Life Saving Queensland surf sports manager Chris Harris said the decision to make surfing a stand alone event on the surf sports calendar would hopefully ensure young talent remained in the lifesaving movement.

“It’s about recruitment and retention within the younger ranks,” he said.

“We are very aware that many of our junior competitors leave the surf lifesaving movement to pursue other sports like surfing and triathlon.”