More than 230 competitors from across five Far Northern Surf Life Saving Clubs recently competed over two days in the first carnival of the North Queensland Branch Surf Sports season.

Hosted by Cairns Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) in Palm Cove the carnival included participants from Port Douglas, Ellis Beach, Etty Bay and Mission Beach clubs.

Port Douglas Director of Surf Sports, Irene Cats, said this year’s delayed start to the season due to COVID meant everyone was extra excited to finally compete at a carnival.

“On Saturday it was up to the U8-U10’s and Senior & Masters to battle it out with Sunday for the U11 - U15’s,” she said.

“The flat conditions made for a fitness test without any waves helping competitors back to the beach.

“The Port Douglas SLSC is very proud of everyone’s achievements and we can’t wait for the Ellis Beach carnival on 12 September.”

Surf Life Saving North QLD Branch President, Rachael Wynberg, said the spirit of the carnival was amazing thanks to the participants, supporters, organisers, and volunteers.

“There were some great innovations to allow us to run a covid-safe event from single entry point into the arena with temperature checking and wrist bands to the plastic clappers handed to all junior competitors to cheer each other on without doing high fives,” she said.

“Plenty of new members joined in the action which was awesome. Kudos to the Cairns Surf Life Saving Club and the North Queensland Board of Surf Sports for all their efforts in making it happen under these very different conditions.”

Results:

Total points

Juniors:

• Cairns SLSC 1034
• Ellis Beach SLSC 460
• Port Douglas SLSC 317
• Etty Bay SLSC 187

Masters:

• Cairns SLSC 212
• Port Douglas SLSC 74
• Ellis Beach SLSC 70

Seniors:

• Ellis Beach SLSC 203
• Cairns SLSC 141
• Port Douglas SLSC 48
• Townsville Picnic Bay SLSC 18
• Arcadian SLSC 18
  
  

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All images: Cairns Surf Life Saving Club