Waveney SLSC hosted the Eastern Regionals Surf Lifesaving Championships at Lowestoft’s South Beach on Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September, and the event was bigger and better than ever.
(Image Credit: Jonathan Sapsford @jonathansapsford)
Over 180 competitors aged from 7 to 60+ from Brighton, Mundesley, North Norfolk and Waveney Surf Lifesaving Clubs took part in a gruelling schedule of races and competitions including beach sprints, sprint relays, flags, board rescues, board races and relays, ski paddle races, Ocean Person (run, swim, board, run), Ocean Relay, and Diamond (ski paddle, board, swim) races.
We were blessed with sunshine throughout, but conditions were tough. Saturday’s relentless north-easterly wind thankfully dropped a little on Sunday, but the strong lateral currents on both days tested even the fittest of competitors. For several, this was their first experience of competitive racing, so it would have been easy for them to be put off by the challenging conditions, but it was an absolute joy to see every single competitor digging deep and giving their all throughout and having a great time.
It was fabulous to see a Waveney Masters (30+) team this year. This section of the club, still in its infancy welcomed a flurry of new members this year and our newcomers put in a sterling performance in both individual and team competitions. Congratulations go to Kathy Annan, Jess McKenna and Mandy Stephens, who made up our first ever Masters (30+) Female Board Relay Team and to Jonathan Harker, Kevin Read and brothers, Jonny and Mossy Spillings, who all did us proud.
After two-days of racing, the prizegiving was held at East Point Pavilion, where competitors enjoyed a well-earned drink or two and a bite to eat. The title of overall champions was awarded, once again to North Norfolk SLSC.
Huge thanks must go to Nick Ayers, North Norfolk’s Jo Thompson and the team from SLSGB who, once again worked tirelessly to plan and deliver a fantastic two days of racing. Thanks also to the group of volunteers who spent their weekend checking in competitors, starting races, recording results, herding Nippers, managing LiveHeats, and setting up & breaking down equipment. Plus, a big shout out to photographers Jonathan Sapsford, Maddy Latimer-Hicks and Sid Cole who came to capture the event.
Waveney SLSC is run purely on donations, membership subscriptions and through fundraising, and the Eastern Regionals is one of the biggest opportunities of the year to bring much needed funds to the Club. We received some fabulous prizes for our raffle thanks to the generosity of the supporters listed below. We also ran a cake sale, sold sweetie bags, and our very own Nipper member, Will Harker made Eastern Regionals red and gold wrist bands to sell. These collective fundraising efforts raised an incredible total of £1,044 which will be put to good use. Huge thanks to everyone involved in making this happen, especially Karen Ayers for all her hard work.
Special thanks go to the following supporters who generously donated prizes for our raffle:
Kathy Annan
Gallery
@JonathanSapsford
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