Jim Dougherty, Clarence Valley Independent

A strong group of Yamba Surf Club members competed in the 2025 NSW State Surf Lifesaving Championships in Sydney over the last two weeks.

The Nippers titles were due to be held at Queenscliff Beach from March 6 to 9 but with Cyclone Alfred loitering just off the South East Queensland coast, rough surf conditions in Sydney forced the Nippers events for Under 9 to Under 12 age groups to be relocated to the protected bay of Shelly Beach at Manly. The under 13- and 14-years water events were transferred to the more protected Collaroy Beach where a large shore dump greeted competitors. All individual events were completed but a number of teams events were cancelled, including the surf teams events, where Yamba teams had high hopes of medalling after their great results in 2024.

Cody Kratzmann once again led the way for the Yamba team with an all the way win in the U10 years male surf race final to retain the title he won last year in the U9 age group.

Other Yamba nippers to record top 6 finishes in finals were:

• Mostyn Brown with 4th place in the U13 years male beach flags event.
• 4th place to the U9 male board relay team of Lenny Dougherty, Nav Robinson and Archie Douglas.
• 4th place to the U9 female board relay team of Alice Patricks, Delilah Doyle and Stella Dean.

Others to make individual finals included Poppy Kemp and Kayla Hancock in U14s, Clarry Dougherty, Leo Dean and Ziggy O’Brien in U12s, Harlan Bews, Leo South, Floyd Doyle, Byron Richards and Lulu Kemp in U11s, Archie Douglas, Alice Patricks, Stella Dean and Delilah Doyle in U9s.

In the Master’s competition held on March 12/13 at Queenscliff Beach in small surf conditions Yamba competitors picked up two silver medals. Greg Goodwin and Michael Stubbs finished 2nd in the 55/59 years double ski race and the over 170 years surf team of David O’Brien, Joe Fahey and Michael Stubbs also finished in 2nd place behind the Freshwater club.

Other Yamba masters to record top 6 finishes in finals were:

• Joe Fahey and Nathan Steele with 4th place in the 50/54 years double ski race.
• James Forbes and Alex Commins with 4th place in the 50/54 years board rescue race.
• Peter Rheinberger with 4th place in the 60/64 years rescue tube race; and 6th place in both the surf race and board race.
• David O’Brien with 5th place in the 55/59 years rescue tube race.
• Greg Goodwin with 6th place in the 55/59 years single ski race.
• Michael Stubbs with 6th place in both 55/59 years surf race and rescue tube race.

This article appeared in Clarence Valley Independent, 19 March 2025.