On Sunday 22nd November, North Steyne hosted for the second year running the Junior Water carnival. Despite the COVID restrictions in place, the carnival had the highest number of registered competitors for this season to date, with close to 500 nippers from U9 through to U14, from clubs within northern beaches branch, but also some competitors from Sydney branch, such as North Bondi, South Maroubra and even a competitor from Warilla-Barrack Point club.
We were fortunate to have Mike Wasley from Mona Vale as carnival referee and Adrian hill as semc for the carnival. North Steyne provided amazing surf conditions, although some may say not enough large sets, for the board and swim. Due to COVID, there was the โblock racingโ format where 2 age groups competed for a 2-hour block (Board, swim, Board, swim, board final, relay). The carnival also provided a wonderful opportunity for our North Steyne nippers to enter a carnival for the first time with 32 nippers representing the black and gold caps for the carnival.
Branch and all the officials were very happy with how the carnival was run, with no major first aid incidents and no aquatic rescues. We were able to borrow an IRB from Manly SLSC which ensured we had a fully operational IRB for Patrol.
Junior Water Carnival 
Team huddle 
Boys Team NS 
Charlie winning 
In the line up 
Relay in action 
U10 Girls
The day would not have been a success without all the help from the amazing volunteers who come for an hour, a few hours or even the whole day. The beach was spotless at the end of the carnival and council also happy with how the event was conducted in a very COVID compliant way.
Car Park Attendants 
Lions Club of Manly
Nipper Assistant Director
Hillary Burrows (left)
U14’s
SRC’s on the BBQ
Chief COVID Marshall Claire Reid
Special thanks to Dave Guthrie and the water safety Supervisors, Stu Crofton and Niels Theolson. Also for those members who helped with water crew and set up Keith Crompton, Jack Watt, Nick Perry, Richard Donaldson, Mike Evan Rees, Fraser Richardson. Deb Foote and the amazing First Aid Providers, Shannon Job, Kyra Jenkins, Sophie Edgen, Pip Evan Rees, Molly Parker and Eliza Thompson. Dave Cowell and the Ripper Nipper parents along with the Manly Lions for their exceptional work on the BBQ on the grass in front of the competition area; Claire Oxlade for all her work on the North Steyne BBQ and all the parents who volunteered and helped! Also, the U14’s who helped at the end of the BBQ shift! The Set up and Pack down Party supervised by Bernie Burrows. We made record time with packing up 10 minutes after the carnival was due to finish!
Who knew at the start of this year we would need to worry about COVID Marshalls! Massive thanks to Claire Reed who was our Chief COVID Marshall and managed NS parents who volunteered and other peninsular club volunteers too. Getting the carnival approved within COVID guidelines was a challenge and having all these amazing volunteers to help made it possible. Also thank you to the Patrol Captains on the day, Tracey Hare Boyd and Molly Parker and Club Captain Dan Hillier; ensuring our beach was safe and open for the public to come for a swim while the carnival was on was fabulous! And we canโt forget Col, Jack Sutherland, Piers, and our President, Chris Stewart for manning the car parking space at the Queenscliff Lagoon.
Carnival Directors : Sarah Lally, centre with Ally Stirling to her right
with First Aid providers Pip, Kyra and Deb
Special mention and thanks to Sarah Lally, Carnival Director, for organising and Ally Stirling, one of our female Boaties, who was second in command. This entire carnival was another success thanks to the contributions of these two outstanding members and to the whole group of Volunteers.
The Carnival is one of our largest fundraising events for the club. The funds raised allow us to reinvest it into Nippers Program. It is also a wonderful opportunity to host other clubs within Branch at our amazing beach!