Bulli to host NSW championships this weekend

CONDITIONS are looking perfect ahead of the 2019 NSW Interbranch Championships at Bulli this weekend.

The championships brings together the best athletes from all 11 Surf Life Saving branches for two days of elite competition.

Bulli SLSC is more than ready for the onslaught of 350 athletes and hundreds of officials, team managers and coaches, after hosting the Nutri-Grain Iron Series event last weekend.

Each team of around 40 athletes consists of three males and three females across Under 12, 13, 15, 17 and Youth (Under 19s) as well as the Open division. The individual and teams events span both the beach and ocean, giving the athletes one final opportunity to impress selectors ahead of the NSW Interstate team being named.

Defending champions, Sydney Northern Beaches, who have won 10 titles since the event began in 1996, will look to continue their success at Bulli this year. A number of their competitors took part in a warm up last weekend at the Sydney Water Series and Super Surf Teams League, giving them the chance to test the course and conditions.

Team SNB have enlisted the powerhouse families from Newport; the Doyles (Kimberley, Katelyn and Emily) and the Morris juggernaut (Jake, Mitch and Zac), who dominated the water events at the NSW Championships, as well as key juniors from Manly, North Curl Curl, Freshwater and Mona Vale.

Team Sydney, who lost out to their northern rivals by only 13 points last year, has named a number of NSW champions to help find those essential points in 2019.

Host branch Illawarra are excited to have everyone join them with Bulli themselves being represented by 17 athletes on their home turf. Look out for Bulli pair, Zara Sharman, the NSW Under 17 Surf Race Champion, and Lucas Ottaway, who will give the Morris boys a run for their money in the waves.

NSW Interbranch referee Michael Bate said he’s looking forward to the event and a big weekend of racing.

“There’s always so much energy at Interbranch competition,” he said.

“The calibre is so high across every discipline and it really sets the bar for the athletes ahead of our Country, State and Australian Championships.”

Bulli Times Gift Shop

Donation

YOU can also make a small donation towards the running of The Bulli & Clifton Times and/or the Looking Back websites through Paypal. If you would like to support my work, you can leave a small tip here of $2, or several small tips, just increase the amount as you like. Your generous patronage of my work and research, however small it appears to you, will greatly help me with my continuing costs.

A$2.00