by Melanie Goodman

Port Douglas Nippers and senior lifesavers celebrated the end of another successful season recounting the many thrills and spills at carnivals and honouring outstanding members for their contribution to the club’s many roles - from community service to sporting endeavour.

The nippers were first to be recognised with each age group presented with surf awards and age champion trophies for the most points achieved at carnivals.

In Under 8s Jonte Revell and Phoebe Brown were male and female Age Champions. Hunta Langley was awarded Most Improved. In Under 9s Oliver Lukin and Sophie Knight were Age Champions while Zane Innes Collins took out the Most Improved.

In Under 10s Ethan Pedemay and Tilly Lawlor were Age Champions and Harrison O'Gorman Petrack was the Most Improved. In Under 11s Derek Sorensen and Sophia Corrie were Age Champions while Jai Hackett won Most Improved.

In Under 12s Mitchell Knight and Mia Devine Cameron were Age Champions and Che Innes Collins took out the Most Improved. In Under 13s Harry Goodman and Sophie O’Gorman Petrack were Age Champions with BJ McLeod earning Most Improved.

In Under 14s Finn Devine Cameron and Eliza Markham were Age Champions while newcomer to the sport Sabrina Uhlman, took out the Most Improved. Two Training and Commitment awards were also up for grabs. Under 8 to Under 10 winner was Kai Ilbury and Under 11 to Under 14 winner was Hamish Doye.

The nipper’s most prestigious award, Nipper of the Year was presented to Alison Munro whose effort this season saw her win a number of medals at the recent North Australian Championships and has earned her a spot on the North Queensland State Team and a reserve place on the Queensland Country Team.

See the presentation image gallery by Sonia Lukin below.

Other members to be selected in the North Qld Branch Team were Sorensen, Mitchell Knight, Finn and Mia Devine Cameron, Goodman and Markham. Hackett and Simon Kramer were named as reserves. This dedicated cohort of Nippers is already training both in the water and on the beach for the State Championships to be held at Hervey Bay late in February 2013.

Following their selection for the second time in as many years, surf athletes Devine Cameron and Markham leave for the Sunshine Coast this week to compete first at the Noosa Aquatic Centre and then on Sunshine Beach where the state’s most promising young competitors will converge for the annual Queensland Interbranch Championships.

Last but not least Brian Markham, Junior Activities Chairman, thanked Age Managers, Officials and Water Safety personnel for their dedication and commitment. Their efforts were acknowledged with gifts of wine and chocolate.

The club’s senior presentations followed, with several trophies up for grabs. Michael Bolt, club President thanked everyone involved in the club’s operations, making special mention of the club’s tireless and most valued patrolling members without whom there would not be a club.

Stalwart of the beach Steve Pollard, was awarded the top Patrol hours trophy on 112 hours with John Goodman not far behind on 105 hours.

Sporting trophies were awarded to Kelly McNamara, Masters Champion and Open Ironwoman. Ed Lukin, Masters Champion, Sara McLeod and Col Cameron Open Champions and John Goodman Open Ironman. Under 15 champions were Devine Cameron and Markham.

The Junior Excellence Trophy was won by Esteena Greig for her commitment to gaining awards and Patrols. The Junior Encouragement Trophy was awarded to Daniel Walsh and Matthew Quinn who have recently gained the relevant awards to assist on Beach Patrols and who also regularly compete at carnivals.

Sara McLeod was awarded the Vigilance and Service Trophy for her many roles including Club Training Officer and Registrar. The President’s Award went to Col Cameron for, among other responsibilities, his valuable contribution as coach and as sponsorship coordinator.

Grant Knight was the recipient of the less coveted ‘Goose Trophy’ for his many baton drops throughout the season. Nevertheless, the club’s patrolling contingent including Knight, can now take a well-earned break until March when their voluntary patrols begin again.