Pictures: Copacabana Beach hosts Nippers branch carnival

Stars of sand and surf sports were celebrated, as well as star lifesavers at the annual nippers branch carnival.

Competitors hit the water during the under-9 boys surf race at the Surf Life Saving Central Coast junior branch championships at Copacabana Beach. Picture: Troy Snook

• PICTURES: first inclusive nippers branch carnival
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Avoca Beach came out on top at the annual Newcastle Permanent Surf Life Saving Central Coast Junior Branch Championships at Copacabana Beach.

Sunday’s conditions made for some excellent racing, especially in the under 14s.

Competitors wait on the start line before the All Ages Board Relay during the Surf Life Saving Central Coast junior branch carnival at Copacabana Beach. Picture: Troy Snook

Terrigal competitor Zac Donnelly in action during the under-8 beach sprint during the Surf Life Saving Central Coast junior branch carnival at Copacabana Beach on Sunday. Picture: Troy Snook

Competitors in action during the All Ages Board Relay during the Surf Life Saving Central Coast junior branch carnival at Copacabana Beach on Sunday. Picture: Troy Snook

North Entrance competitor Connor Ashton during the under-8 beach sprint during the Surf Life Saving Central Coast junior branch carnival at Copacabana Beach on Sunday, 2 February, 2020. Picture: Troy Snook

On the sand, under-14 competitors Lilly Hofer, of Killcare, and Noah Nakagawa

(Wamberal) took out the sprint and flags double. While in the water, Lizzy Shearer of Shelly Beach topped the podium in the female surf race and ironwoman and in the males, Jed Hoyland (Umina Beach) won the surf race and ironman.

Jack Humphries in action for Wamberal during the All Ages Board Relay at the Surf Life Saving Central Coast junior branch carnival at Copacabana Beach. Picture: Troy Snook

In the younger age groups, Hamish Taylor-Martin, of MacMasters Beach, took out

the under-13 board and ironman, while in the under 11s Hayden McGregor, of

Wamberal, was too good in the surf race and ironman. On the beach in the

under-9s Casey Paige (Terrigal) brought home gold in the sprint and flags.

Hayden McGregor, of Wamberal, in action during the under-11 boys board during the Surf Life Saving Central Coast junior branch carnival at Copacabana Beach. Picture: Troy Snook

Will Tebb, of Avoca Beach, contesting the under-11 boys board at the Surf Life Saving Central Coast junior branch carnival at Copacabana Beach on Sunday. Picture: Troy Snook

The championships also featured the announcement of the Newcastle Permanent Junior Lifesavers of the Year. These awards recognise the involvement and achievements of the young men and women coming through surf lifesaving in the under-14 age group. Clubs are asked to nominate one male and one female to represent their club.

This year SLSCC received 28 nominations from 15 surf clubs, with the awards going to Kale Puata and Brooke Gillett, both of North Avoca.

Competitors on the starting line before the under-9 girls surf race at the Surf Life Saving Central Coast junior branch carnival at Copacabana Beach. Picture: Troy Snook

Competitors on the starting line before the under-9 boys surf race. Picture: Troy Snook