CLAYPHANS KURRAWA BOYS HAVE PLENTY IN RESERVE

SURF LIFE SAVING, April, 21 2013: DAMIEN Clayphan swept his Queensland champion Kurrawa reserve grade crew to take out the perfect ‘double’, narrowly winning their Australian surfboat title in a one-metre surf at North Kirra on Sunday.

In another photo-finish, Kurrawa just raced home ahead of Coogee and North Cottesloe with Clayphan saying winning the double was a perfect reward for his crew who started training in December.

The crew - Darian Brennan (bow), John Pepper, Mark Cameron and Ben Townsend - clicked on the day with Clayphan saying he thought he had won but was not certain until the officials’ decision was announced.

“There was nothing much in wave assistance on the way home and the boys just milked whatever they could,” said Clayphan.

“The win probably wasn’t a surprise to me because these guys have been on fire for the last six weeks.”

Kurrawa had nine starts at the championships to win seven starts en route to gold.

LATE START KEY TO QUEENSCLIFF SUCCESS

Alex Welsh knew his Queenscliff U23 men’s crew were better than their fourth at the NSW championships and they hit back at North Kirra to win the Aussie title and confirm his beliefs.

The crew-William Slattery, James Malloy, Samuel Cornwell and Lachlan Beattie-started training late, kicking off at the end of January.

Queenscliff beat North Cottesloe and North Cronulla in a blanket finish with five boats finishing on the same wave.

“We had a clip of blades with North Cronulla early but once the boys settled down they got straight into it and when had a length lead at the buoys then we just went for it,” said Welsh.

“Coming through the gate buoys I told the boys if we missed this runner the title was not ours. They reached for it and took off. It was awesome.”

NO EX-SPENCE SPARED AS PETE SWEEPS PALMY GIRLS TO GOLD

Sweep Peter Spence said his Aussie gold medal-winning U23 Palm Beach women’s crew had not missed making a final all season.

His crew of Charlie Nolan (bow), Jordan Tombes, Jenny Aetherr and Greta Beale beat North Cottesloe and Austinmer in a tight finish.

“We were at the southern end of the area and we have a really good start and then coming home when we pulled down the wave I knew we had won,” said Spence.

They beat North Cottesloe and Austinmer to win their gold medals.

BULLI BOYS CLAIM THE MILK RUN

Sweep Shane Gelovan said his U19 Bulli men’s crew milked every little run to record an unbelievable win.

“Its been a long year; after winning at the world titles we have been working hard at each training session,” Gelovan said.

He said to take note of his crew members of Toby Allnutt, Iszak Lunney, Kyle Mercer and Albert Smeaton because they had a big future in surfboat rowing.

They beat home defending champions the Avoca (Richard Brierty) and the Newport. - GRAHAM CALLAGHAN

Issued on behalf of Surf Life Saving Australia by

Ian Hanson

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