Athletes to watch at the Queensland Youth Surf Life Saving Championships
The Queensland Youth Surf Life Saving Championships have been suspended due to poor weather but could return for day two on Saturday. DISCOVER THE ATHLETES TO WATCH HERE
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The opening day of the 2022 Youth State Championships has been suspended at the Sunshine Coast.
The event was booked to begin today at Alexandra Headland and Moloolaba but the poor weather has forced officials to stop action.
“All competition, including beach and water events have been cancelled and the Festival Zone is closed,” a statement from Surf Life Saving Queensland read.
“The Competition Committee have conducted thorough risk assessments at Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba, in addition to investigating alternative locations on the Sunshine Coast.
“They have also considered Queensland Fire and Emergency Services’ advice to stay off the roads where possible. Lifeguards have also closed most beaches on the Sunshine Coast.
“The committee will continue to conduct safety assessments and advise of any updates to the weekend’s program.”
EARLIER
THE Queensland Youth Surf Life Saving Championships officially begin today and hundreds of athletes from Gold Coast clubs will be battling to ensure the title stays on the Glitter Strip.
North Burleigh are the reigning overall club champions and will be looking to defend its crown
SEE OUR LIST OF ATHLETES TO WATCH BELOW
The Gold Coast club finished the 2021 event as the highest-ranked organisation and will take 100 athletes aged 11-15 to the event at Alexandra Headland.
North Burleigh director of surf sport Gerard Sangston said the sheer number of competitors appearing for the club showed the development of the group. “We had our former competitors and coaches present them with their uniforms and state packs (this week,” he said.
“We are very excited for Friday, that is when all the team events are on. It puts a huge buzz in (the group).
“It is the first time we have cracked 100 competitors for the state titles.
“The kids have to qualify to make it into these positions, it isn’t just walk-up start.
“We have been coming very close for the last few seasons but to crack 100 shows our participation levels and the development of the kids is tracking along quite well.”
ATHLETES TO WATCH
Ava Usher
Age: 15
Club: Northcliffe
Events:
U15 Female Beach Sprint
U15 Female Board Race
U15 Female Beach Flags
U15 Female Beach Relay
U15 Female Cameron Relay
U15 Female Board Rescue
U15 Female Board Relay
U15 Female Ironperson
U15 Female Surf Rescue
U15 Female Surf Teams
U15 Mixed Beach Relay
All Age Relay
One of the brightest young sporting talents on the Gold Coast who was recently crowned Queensland’s best grassroots athlete of 2021.
Usher will be the hot favourite for her individual events and shapes as a key member of the relay teams for Northcliffe.
A well-rounded athlete who trains exceptionally hard, is exceedingly fit and a person coaches have huge wraps on.
Jake Stanborough
Age: 15
Club: Kurrawa
Events:
U15 Male Ironperson
U15 Male Surf Race
U15 Male Board Race
U15 Male Beach Flags
U15 Mixed Beach Relay
A dedicated beach sprinter and flags competitor but don’t count him out of the water races.
Coached by former multiple national beach sprint and flags champion Melissa Cracroft-Wilson, Stanborough has every opportunity to forge a long career on the sand.
He is quick on the turn, especially in flags and incredibly fast across the sand. Stanborough trains diligently and is one of the standouts athletes of his branch.
Ben Cervenak
Age: 15
Club: Tallebudgera
Events:
U15 Male Cameron Relay
U15 Male Board Rescue
U15 Male Board Relay
U15 Male Surf Rescue
U15 Male Surf Teams
U15 Male Board Race
U15 Male Ironperson
U15 Mixed Beach Relay
Bianca Rayward
Age: 14
Club: North Burleigh
Events:
U14 Female Beach Sprints
U14 Female Beach Relay
U14 Female Cameron Relay
U14 Female Board Rescue
U14 Female Board Relay
U14 Female 2 x 1Km Beach Relay
U14 Female 2km Beach Run
U14 Female Surf Rescue
U14 Female Surf Teams
U14 Female Board Race
U14 Female Ironperson
Part of the defending state champions at North Burleigh, Rayward has a busy schedule of events.
If you need any indication of Rayward’s skill you only need to look back to the Shannon Eckstein Classic, held in huge swell at Northcliffe earlier this month where she took out one of the junior races.
You can guarantee Rayward will put everything into each race and is one of the most well-liked member of the North Burleigh team.
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