Open Water National Championship Success
January 31, 2025
A fantastic season for the Junior Competition Team finished with the State Championships at Pt Leo Beach over the weekend. Eighteen junior athletes from Portsea competed in the three-day program, with beach events on the Friday, individual surf events on Saturday and team surf events on Sunday.
On the Friday, Madeleine Johnson won the GOLD Medal in the Under 10 Girls’ Long Run, Jo Hart won SILVER in the U10 Boys’ Long Run and Frankie Hart won BRONZE in the Under 13 Girls’ Beach Sprint. Portsea caps were seen in composite team beach relays and through multiple rounds of beach flags.
On Saturday, Henry Proud put in an outstanding performance to win GOLD in the U10 Boys’ Wade Race and Madeleine Johnson backed up her performance on Friday to win SILVER in the U10 Girls’ Surf Race. Freddie Forsyth also put in a strong performance to take home BRONZE in the Under 11 Boys’ Surf Race.
In the team events on Sunday, the Under 9 boys team comprising Augie Schall, Harry Clarke and Will Forsyth won BRONZE in the Board Relay. The Under 12 boys also scored a credible 9th place finish in their Board Relay.
All the competitors had a fantastic carnival, cheered on by Sam Groth, MP for Nepean and Shadow Minister for Sport. Thanks to John Preston, Romani Klein and Nat Hood for volunteering as officials, and to all our Age Managers and parent helpers who kept our athletes fed, watered and on track with marshalling.
The pandemic saw a state-wide 50% drop in junior competition numbers. Portsea, like many other clubs, is needing to rebuild numbers to their pre-covid levels. Our outstanding results at Point Leo show that we are on the trajectory upwards. It truly has been a super season for the Junior Competition Team with a strong focus on training, led by our club coaches, under the leadership of John Preston and Andrew Regan, supported by Nat Hood in administration. There are many new, young members in the team and it’s in these age groups where we’ve had most success. The future looks exciting!!
The Junior competitors will be back next year, with a focus on skill improvement and team event training, with a goal to improve in the points rankings and take out even more medals at Carnivals and the State Champs in 2026. Why not get on board and join!!
Portsea Victorian Championship Team 2025
U9 boys: Augie Schall-Riaucour, Harry Clarke, Will Forsyth
U10 boys: Tommy Klein, Jensen Steven, Henry Proud, Jo Hart,
U10 girls: Tessa Guthridge, Madeleine Johnson, Madeleine Hains
U11 girls: Holly Jacka,
U11 boys: Freddie Forsyth
U12 boys: Sasha Robertson, Bobby Preston, Boston Brandi, Harper Steven
U13 girls: Camilla Klein, Frankie Hart
