Volunteer Spotlight: Stuart Mclean
January 29, 2026
The sluggish start to summer meant a long wait for fine conditions. The event was on pause to find a weather window suitable for Club Champs. With northerlies and sunshine predicted, Saturday of the Australia Day long weekend was the choice pick. On the first real day of postcard conditions, clubbies opted in and out of events between wave sets with their mates. The break was a mass of yellow rescue boards and nippers on foamies. Even a big double lilo was seen floating around out the back!
The beach events were up first, the 1km long run, sprints and flags. These were followed by the board, iron, swim and given the perfect waves, even ski races. A few of our juniors jumped in for a bit of experience and fun as the U9 girls ran around in a group cheering on their comp team coaches. Our two visiting Danish lifeguards, Seb and Sam, joined in the contest, getting beach flag lessons from legendary beach coach Rowan ‘Horse’ Cameron.
The highlight event of the Club Champs is the Open Surf Race – a challenging swim around a buoy laid behind the break. As is tradition, the lifesaving men and women line up together, racing for the Yencken and Nat Hood Cups respectively. Despite the trophy split on the finish line, the top swimmers race for the glory of line honours. This year we saw the renaissance of Tom Regan. We had two national Aussies medallists on the start line for the ‘battle of the sexes’. Tom, an Aussies Surf Race silver medallist was first out through the break and hit the turning can in the lead. Mackie Hunter, an Aussies 2km Ocean Swim gold medallist was in the chase on the way back to the beach. As the finish line approached, Mackie’s distance prowess showed and she ran up the beach in first place for the second year running, taking the Nat Hood Cup. Tom was up next – snatching the Yencken and engraving his name yet again on the perpetual trophy.
The points system means that max rewards will go to those prepared to tough out all events. Results were tallied as competitors and spectators gathered on the deck for celebrations. We cheered our 2026 champions and watched another glorious western sunset over the water.
Results:
Open Men’s Club Champion: Sam Williams (Denmark)
Open Women’s Club Champion: Mackie Hunter
U19 Women’s Club Champion: Katie Kerr
U17 Men’s Club Champion: Patrick Benson
U15 Men’s Club Champion: Sam Burgess
Master’s Men’s Club Champion: Cameron Hunter
Master’s Women’s Club Champion: Natalie Hood
Thanks to Phil, Nat, Andrew, Ben and Anthony for running the champs.