The decision to bypass the Australian Age Swimming Championships paid off in gold for Matt Palmer when he rode home a wave to win the under-15 surf race on day one of the 2015 Australian Youth Surf Life Saving Championships at North Kirra today.
Palmer could have been swimming in the pool in Sydney this week but opted to take on the Gold Coast surf instead and the smile on his face said it had been the right decision.
The Maroochydore 15-year-old was battling behind the leaders hoping to maybe gain a medal when he grabbed his chance as a wave built up on the North Kirra bank.
While Matt Sperring (Warilla Barrack Point), Nicholas Hards (North Cronulla) and Thomas Doyle (Manly) had led the race from the start, they could not stop Palmer joining them in front as the wave broke.
The four rode it as far as they could but it was Palmer who was first to his feet and won the dash up the beach, celebrating as he crossed the line.
“I just had to get up and go,” he said. “I’m stoked, I love it.”
Sperring was an unlucky second, with Hards third.
Photo Courtesy: Surf Life Saving Australia
Palmer and Sperring will be among the leading contenders for the under-15 ironman title to be decided tomorrow.
The Sunshine Coast also found success in the under-14 surf race with Mooloolaba’s Hayden Cotter taking the gold medal ahead of Jonty Redwood (Sunshine Beach) and Louka Demopoulos (Arcadian).
The lightly built Cotter said he was hurting as he swam through the trough trying to hold off the chasing pack but was thrilled to have had enough in the tank to take the medal.
A dead-heat for first place in the under-15 beach relay highlighted the action on the sand.
Wanda and Helensburgh-Stanwell Park could not be separated in a thrilling finish, with Mooloolaba placed third.
Mooloolaba took the gold medal in the under-15 girls’ relay ahead of fast-finishing Currumbin and Coogee.
Newport’s Kristie Edwards took out the girls’ under-15 beach sprint final ahead of Helena Schwerdt of Grange and Taylor Stickler of Mooloolaba.
In the under-15 boys’ final Alex Innes of Metropolitan Caloundra struck gold, with Lawson Christiansen (Caves Beach) second, and Adam Newey (Helensburgh-Stanwell Park) third.
The under-14 beach sprint gold medals were won by Chloe Mannix-Power (Cronulla) and Clarke Kelhear (Mermaid Beach).
The Youth championships continue tomorrow, with the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships Masters championships to be held on Monday and Tuesday, and the Open events starting on Wednesday.
All events are scheduled to be held at North Kirra.
Photo Courtesy: Surf Life Saving Australia
RESULTS:
2015 Australian Youth Surf Life Saving Championships: Nth Kirra: Day 1:
Men:
U/15:
Surf Race: Matthew Palmer (Maroochydore) Matthew Sperring (Warilla Barrack Point) Nicholas Hards (North Cronulla).
Sprint: Alex Innes (Met Caloundra) Lawson Christiansen (Caves Beach) Adam Newey (Helensburgh-Stanwell Park).
Beach Relay: =1 Jamee Smith, Hudson Berry, Kurt Stavrou, Adam Mortlock (Wanda) =1Brent Manning, Adam Newey, Kyle Attard, Brock Scrivener (Helensburgh-Stanwell Park) 3 Caleb Enright, Joel Berge, Corey Linton, Zayne Buckley (Mooloolaba).
2km Run: Lachlan Heuston (Redhead) Christopher Breen (Cronulla) Tom Lewis (Wauchope Bonny Hills).
U/14:
Surf Race: Hayden Cotter (Mooloolaba) Jonty Redwood (Sunshine Beach) Louka Demopoulos (Arcadian).
Beach Sprint: Clarke Kelhear (Mermaid) Jack Musika (Coogee (WA) Bradley Hunt (Byron Bay).
2km Run: Isaac Sanderson (Wauchope Bonny Hills) Kyle Aimer (Alexandra Headland) Tyeson Street (Cronulla).
Women:
U/15:
Beach Sprint: Kristie Edwards (Newport) Helena Schwerdt (Grange) Taylor Stickler (Mooloolaba).
Beach Relay: Charlotte Keevil, Lily Peck, Taylor Stickler, Ella Wallace (Mooloolaba) Hannah Carter, Lillian Dick, Veronica McNevin, Kellie Meyer (Currumbin) Catherine Brown, Emily Cowen, Heidi Cummings Mia Gastelaars Nubia Mendes (Coogee (NSW).
2km Run: Olivia Corrin (Midway, NZ) Elly O`Donoghue (Wanda) Alexandra Clarke (Maroochydore) Annabelle Eastman (Mordialloc).
U/14:
Beach Sprint: Chloe Mannix-Power (Cronulla) Alexandra Rampoldi (North Cronulla) Ava Latu (Terrigal).
2km Run: Abbey Gentle (Elouera) Tiarah Minns (Torquay) Drew Younger Tweed Heads (Coolangatta).
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wonderful achievement Matt Palmer