NORTH Queensland team manager Alex Rogers has heaped praise on Far North nippers after their recent success at the Surf Life Saving Queensland State Championships.

Rogers said the dedication shown by Port Douglas, Ellis Beach, Cairns, Mission Beach and Etty Bay representatives was the catalyst behind their their 19th placing out of 45 teams.

“The result is a hardened team of athletes who have dedicated months of training in adverse conditions, and their strength and endurance is noted by the southern clubs,” Rogers said.

The SLSQ North Queensland branch, made up of 34 junior lifesavers, finished in 15th place on handicap after consideration was given to the size of each team.

They brought home gold, silver and bronze in Hervey Bay against 1500 of the best nippers in Queensland, with medals goiung to:

GOLD: U14 Boys - Beach Sprint Relay
Ben Jones, Oliver Kurukchi, Zac Tabuai, Kenji Thomas

SILVER: U13 Girls - 1km Beach Run
Lila Horobin

SILVER: U13 Girls - Surf Race 
Lila Horobin

BRONZE: U13 Girls - Board Rescue
Sena Nakajima, Anastasia Wynberg

BRONZE: U14 Boys - Surf Race
Zac Tabuai