The sun was shining and the ocean was calm for the first Far South Coast Surf Life Saving senior carnival of the season at Tathra on Saturday, November 21.
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It was the first carnival Tathra has hosted since one of Tathra SLSC’s long-time members Christine Armstrong was killed by a shark in April 2014.
Director of Surf Sports FSC Melissa Meaker said there was concern from the other clubs in the lead up to the event.
“There was definitely some fear from some of the other surf lifesaving clubs, but they still came and it turned out to be a wonderful day,” Ms Meaker said.
About 100 contestants aged from under 15 to over 50 from Batemans Bay, Bermagui, Broulee, Moruya, Narooma, Pambula and Tathra competed.
Before the event kicked off at 10.30am there was a minute silence in memory of Tathra Surf Life Saving Club vice-president Dave Elliott, who died recently.
After the opening ceremony the surfboats took to the water for the day’s competition.
Unfortunately, Tathra was unable to come away with a win, but its men’s surfboat team came in a very close third place.
The race was almost a dead heat with three teams - Broulee, Narooma and Tathra – all hitting the sand at virtually the same time.
The women’s surfboat team also rowed exceptionally well, but came in second behind Broulee.
Ms Meaker said an unusual, but pleasing aspect to the day was the closeness of the competing teams.
“Usually there’s a standout club, but actually this time around everyone was fairly even,” she said.
“Broulee has held the Jack Beale Trophy for I think around four years, which is given to club with the highest pointscore.
“But on Saturday it was a very close contest between Broulee, Narooma and Tathra.”
There are three senior carnivals during the season, with the next one at Broulee on Sunday, January 31.
However, next on the calendar is the gruelling George Bass Surfboat Marathon from January 3-9.
The first Nippers carnival for this season is planned for December 6 at Moruya.