Congratulations to the team of six competitors who represented North Steyne SLSC at the Aussie Youth Titles 2023. Lead by Junior Club Captains’ Eva Haughton and Charlie Colwell in the under 14’s, they were joined by former Captain Oli Crofton as the sole under 15 competitor, Josh Turner under 14’s, Kody Burrows under 13’s and the new male Junior Captain Tomi Crofton under 13’s.
Four of the six were at their first Aussies and I hope all enjoyed the experience. All competitors represented North Steyne SLSC with pride, courage and commitment. The comradery shown between the competitors was amazing, supporting each other when able to and then socialising in the down time. Credit should be given for their participation at Aussies 2023.
To the support crew, Erin, Stu, Christine, Chris, Bernie, Scott, Milli, Joel & Indie an amazing commitment to travel across the country to support the kids, hopefully they appreciate the commitment that was needed. Dave Maguire, thank you for transporting boards, tents, chairs across the country and back with the surf boat it is greatly appreciated. To Sarah, Deb, Kyra & Lochie thank you for supporting the kids in their events and joining us at the team dinner on Saturday night.
Below, please see individual results for each athlete and team, an amazing achievement for such a small team and credit for all the hard work and training they have put in over the year.
In my first experience as Team Manager, it has been a great honour to help these kids during Aussies 2023. Congratulations to them all and I look forward to seeing them compete in 2024 on the sunshine coast.
Jono Colwell – North Steyne Youth Team Manager
Eva Haughton
The sole female who had to put up with the boys for the weekend, that didn’t stop Eva from some great results in individual events, unfortunately Eva was unable to participate in team events as she couldn’t race with the boys but she was number one supporter, handler and team manager during Sunday. Well done.
Eva also competed in the surfing competition, along with the overall winner, she was a standout. In the semi-final she surfed some high scoring waves, Congratulations to Eva on an awesome surfing competition to finish the final 2nd overall.
Individual results:
Iron: 17th / 20 in Quarter Final 2
Swim: DNS
Board: Eva was 3rd in her heat then 13th in Quarter final 4
Surfing: 2nd Place – Silver medal.
Tomi Crofton
Had a great Aussies competition and competed in both individual and team events. Congratulations to Tomi on reaching the semi-finals of the individual board, which is a great achievement. Tomi was one of six northern beaches competitors to make the semi-finals, four of those competitors were named Thomas.
Individual results:
Iron: 12th / 20 in Quarter final 3
Swim: 34 / 40 in Semi-final 2
Board: Tomi was 6th in heat, 7th in Quarter final & 16th in Semi final
Josh Turner
Competed in individual water events along with a mix of team events in the 13/14 & 14/15 age groups.
Josh had a great experience and was competitive and unlucky not to make it through the next rounds of individual board event, missing by one place.
Individual results:
Iron: 19th Quarter final 2
Swim: 29th Quarter final 3
Board: 11th Heat 3
Kody Burrows
Competed in individual water events and team events in the 13/14 category. Kody had some impressive results in the water making the semi-final of both the Ironman & individual surf race. Kody finished 9th in the board quarter final, missing the semi-finals by 1 place. Kody was also the only North Steyne youth competitor to enter the 2km swim. He was the overall fastest NSSLSC member.
Individual results:
Iron: 18th Semi-final 2
Swim: 24th Semi-final heat 2 – out of 40 competitors
Board: 9th Quarter final 1
2km Ocean Swim: 34mins 20 seconds – 25 of 30 in age group.
Charlie Colwell
Competed in individual water events and team events. Charlie along with Josh competed across both the 13/14 & 14/15 team age groups. In flat conditions Charlie was competitive across all disciplines. In the small conditions in the board riding, Charlie was 2nd in his heat. The small conditions are not ideal for Charlie, however he was competitive and lucky not to progress to the semi finals.
Individual results:
Iron: DSQ
Swim: 27th Quarter final 1
Board: 13th Heat 1
Board riding: 3rd Quarter final 1
Oli Crofton
Was the sole competitor in the under 15 area. In his last season in the youth event before moving to under 17’s he competed in individual water events along with a mix of team events in the 14/15 age groups. Oli had an amazing Board event, missing the final by 1 place finishing 9th in the Semi-final. Amazing result considering the talent in the age group.
Individual results:
Iron: 15th HEAT 3
Swim: DNS
Board: 9th in Semi-final 1
Team Events
Cameron Relay: 13/14 Cameron Relay – Kody Swim, Tomi – Run, Charlie – Board, Josh – Run. In a highly competitive heat the boys started strong with Kody in the swim leg, passing over to Tomi for the first run leg we were just behind the main pack and closing. Charlie hit the water for the board leg and couldn’t close the gap enough to give Josh a chance to sprint finish for the final spot, unfortunately the boys missed out.
Swim Teams: In dead flat conditions – Kody & Tomi (13’s) Charlie & Josh (14’s) combined for the swim teams. In what was a long swim the boys finishing ?? in their heat. Kody was first home, then Tomi followed by Charlie, then Josh. In a great show of sportsmanship by Nth Curly competitors, they got all athletes to clap Josh home as he crossed the finish line.
Board Rescue: 13 / 14’s – Tomi & Josh – In a very close quarter final, Tomi & Josh put up a great combination to finish 5th. They were very unlucky to not finish in 4th, and im sure with some waves they would of made it through to the semi-finals. 14 / 15’s – Oli & Charlie – Charlie was doing the swim leg in this hot field of nine. He started well then went a bit off track which cost them a couple of places, however they made up a couple on the way back in but were unable to make up the distance required to get into the top four.
Board Relay: 14 / 15’s – Oli, Charlie, Josh – Oli started the boys off and was in the top pack at the first change over, Charlie was up next and was determined to not to let anyone paddle past him. The lead paddlers took off and set a red-hot pace. Charlie finished off his leg just behind the main pack. Josh had his rating up for the long flat paddle around the apex and was gallant in his efforts to close the gap. Unfortunately, the boys finished up outside the places to progress through.
