COAST SURF CREWS JUST FALL SHORT OF REP PICK
GOLD Coast crews have fallen just short in their quest to gain Australian representation, with NSW crews winning all four spots to face New Zealand in February.
Currumbin, Tallebudgera and Mermaid Beach placed crews in the final round-robin series but each fell to their NSW rivals in the determining selection events.
Currumbin were in contention in the under-23 women’s division but their charge came to a halt when crew member Georgia Meredith was hit by an oar.
The resulting cut to her eye required stitches and put a halt to the women’s run.
Tallebudgera competed well, making the final under sweep Steve Purcell, but it was the crew from Avalon Beach that sealed national selection.
Currumbin’s Hunters women were also in contention but could not hold off Elouera, who won the Australian spot.
South Curl Curl won the men’s selection series, finishing ahead of a Mermaid Beach crew swept by Marty Fletcher.
The former Kurrawa clubbie and several of his former clubmates made a push for selection on their old home beach as the winds and swell that made for messy beach conditions on Saturday, cleared up.
North Cronulla won the under-23 men’s selection, with no teams making the cut for the final round.