NSW Surf Life Saving titles: Avoca’s little heroes and North Bondi mates make mark in wet

Just over a week after a youngster helped rescue her mate they were back competing together at the NSW surf life saving titles where a special team of friends caused quite a stir on the sand.

Just over a week ago young surf life saver Isla Davies was hit in the face by her flying board in a painful accident while doing a board paddling race.

Her Avoca surf life saving clubmate Zoe Shaw saw the accident and her friend in distress, abandoned her racing and immediately went to the aid of her good mate.

“She fell off and I was coming in behind her. She lost her board and I got off mine so she could go on it,’’ Zoe said as the first day of the NSW surf life saving titles kicked off on the northern beaches on Thursday.

“She’s my friend.’’

Zoe Shaw and Isla Davies from Avoca at the championships.

Zoe swam in with Isla on her board, utlilising the training the pair have received as young surf life savers with the pair back racing at the state titles on Thursday on Sydney’s northern beaches.

The Central Coast club is known for some remarkable rescues in recent times.

Last year 10-year-old Nippers Matilda Harvey, Matilda Coleman and Violent Wolters also put their training as young life savers to the test when they noticed an elderly man in trouble at their beach.

“They helped him stay afloat and then two came in an got me,’’ said Stuart Harvey, president of Central Coast surf life saving.

“They did a great job. “They heard him calling for help and did what they were taught to do. They pretty much saved his life.

“The guy was struggling to stay afloat and they got him on one of the boards.’’

The victorious North Bondi beach relay team.

Back on the beach on Thursday, the under 11 beach relay team from North Bondi also achieved an impressive feat in their event.

It was the third straight win for three of the four members of the team.

Spencer Jordan-Booth, Jensen Lee and Hugo Spierings have raced together for the past three years and on Thursday teamed with Kai Kitchen for another win in their favourite event.

Their former running mate Kristian Mackay is recovering from leg surgery and unable to race.

“We probably did well because we all train a lot and we always try as hard as we can,’’ Spencer said.

“(Surf life saving) is really fun because I am getting stronger and learning how to save people.

“I haven’t saved anyone yet but I have gotten better.’’

NSW surf life saving championships kicked off on Thursday in terrible conditions.

Jensen agreed a work ethic - along with camaraderie - is key to their success on the sand.

“We train hard and we like racing as a team. I like how I get to be with my friends,’’ he said.

Hugo also believes doing surf life saving is fun and important.

“I’ve been doing it since I was a Nipper and you get to be with all your friends and on the beach,’’ he said.

“I like the beach events. The swim is really hard.

“It also good to learn how to save someone.’’

The championships continue through to Sunday.

Originally published as NSW Surf Life Saving titles: Avoca’s little heroes and North Bondi mates make mark in wet