31 Oct Coolangatta Gold 2023
Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club’s Surf Sports Teams Competed in the iconic
Coolangatta Gold over the weekend.
Having completed their 20 weeks of endurance training in the lead up to the event the teams
approached the race with confidence that they had prepared for the gruelling test.
In classic, light wind conditions, the teams covered the 21km short course event completing
surf ski (10.5km), swim (2km), board (3km) and run (5.5km) early Saturday morning.
Coffs Harbour’s U19 teams placed 1st (Lucy Wilde, Holly Becker, Cohen Franklin and
Hudson Barry) and 2nd (Payton Lawler, Coco Backhouse, Elliot Hulbert and Cooper
Gunther) in the mixed team’s category.
The club’s U17 team (Xavier Hulbert, Ethan Dawson, Maddison O’Leary and Abbey Lawler)
placed second in their age group.
In the mixed category teams our teams overall placed 8th (U17 Drop Bears), 15th (U19
Bananas) and 26th (U19 Sleepyheads).
Over 90 teams male, female and mixed completed the short course event our U17 team
placed 42nd with our U19s placing 57th and 79th overall.
The event traditionally prepares surf sport athletes for the upcoming season. Having been a
first for all of the youth competitors of the club it is a credit to their dedication and willingness
to train over the Winter months.
As part of the club’s pathway program supported by the John and Marge Mills Coaching
bursary the athletes are learning what it takes to prepare and support compete in this type of
arena.
The club wishes to thank its families and coaches for supporting the group. The Coffs
Harbour club is extremely proud of the achievements. The group now switches their
attention to the shorter formats of competitive surf sports racing. We look forward to the season ahead.