Students soak up the sun and surf

Excited during the first day of Caloundra Surfabout at Kings Beach are Coolum State School students, back from left, Tom Berryman, Luke Philps, Nick Mecchia, Bailey Reinwald, Bailey Williams, Alexander Nichols and Tylah Little, Kirara Sherringham (kneeling behind board) and Cooper Williams lying in front.

Brett Wortman

SEVEN Coolum Primary School students made it to the finals and Team Coolum was crowned the champion school at last week’s Caloundra Surfabout 2010.

For two days, in testing conditions, the best 10-to-12-year-old Coast surfers battled it out, with the Coolum students’ performances across the board giving the school the edge.

Coolum coordinator Erica Henderson said the technical skill level of the surfing in the finals was exceptional.

“I was thrilled to watch seven of our kids make the finals as we have worked hard to support our kids with training this year,” she said.

“The early mornings at the beach with the crazy race to school to beat the bell have paid off.”

Ms Henderson said Davey Wallace, in the 12 years boys, “had the crowd on their feet and the other contenders for the blue-ribbon event trembling”.

“His score for the heat was the highest scoring surf for the event,” she said.

Other Coolum finalists were Jaleesa Vincent, Tom Berryman, Tajana Jenkins, Jaggar Bartholomew, Jada Green and Brooke Murphy.

Ms Henderson thanked sponsors Coolum Surf and the parents who supported the students, “particularly Mark Little and Wayne Bartholomew, who spent some time in the water on the day supporting the younger competitors and on the beach with valuable tips”.

She said the students were looking forward to the next event: the Coolum Surf School Surfout on October 23.