NIPPING AT HEELS
Brodey Kneen (front) and Jax Damro are all focus at the state’s Youth Surf Life Savings Championships at Burleigh Heads at the weekend.
Brodey, 12, one of 2000 nippers competing, says: “I just like to have fun with my friends, see if I can do well.”
A SURF life saving championship that boasted a field of almost 2000 nippers at Burleigh Heads on the weekend could return to the Coast in 2021.
The 2019 Queensland Youth Surf Life Saving Championships drew 1700 of Queensland’s finest nippers chasing glory in their age groups.
Events included the 1km and 2km beach runs, beach flags and sprints, surf race and board events.
Surf Life Saving Queensland sporting events co-ordinator Ryan Bennett said the event marked 50 years since the first championship was held on the Gold Coast.
“This is probably the biggest field we’ve had in quite a while – there’s been an increase during the past three or four years,” he said.
“The amount of competitors we’re bringing in from across the state to the Gold Coast for the full weekend is really good, people are able to experience the Gold Coast.
“It’s likely we’re probably heading to the Sunshine Coast next year ... but realistically we’ll be very likely to be back on the Gold Coast the year after.”
Brodey Kneen, 12, from Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Club, said he enjoyed earning points for his club.
“I just like to have fun with my friends, play around and see if I can do well,” he said.
“We always get competitive but we get along at the end of the race, we have a few jokes.”