MOLLYMOOK Surf Life Saving Club is undertaking final preparations to again host the 2015 Stramit NSW Country Surf Life Saving Championships from January 16 to 18.
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The club is looking to build on the success of last year’s event with over 5000 people again estimated to descend on the area, including about 1500 competitors, officials and volunteers along with a large contingent of supporters and families.
The championships are again expected to bring more than $2 million dollars to the area, based on Tourism Australia analysis.
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Joanna Gash praised the community and members of the Mollymook Surf Life Saving Club for their efforts in ensuring the event is another success.
“Hosting an event of this scale takes enormous commitment at all levels however the more we can showcase our region and boost the profile of surf lifesaving the better,” Cr Gash said.
“I am particularly pleased at the level of community support for the Country Championships.”
Mollymook Surf Life Saving Club senior club vice-president John Patterson believes that the 2015 event will be bigger and better than ever.
“We are looking forward to hosting the championships for a second year running,” Mr Patterson said.
“You always try to make the second one better than the first, and that’s what we are aiming to do.
“Excitement is very much starting to build, and we are definitely hoping for some good weather.”
The Stramit NSW Country Championships is the only event on the surf sport calendar to feature a full range of events including surfboats, as well as all age groups from u8s through to masters, within a three-day surf carnival.
One competitor the Mollymook supporters will have their eyes on is Taryn Love.
Taryn has been involved in the surf club since she was two-years-old starting with Sandgropers and going on to Nippers when she was seven.
She has since competed in the senior ranks where she has travelled the country to compete for Mollymook.
Flags is Taryn’s pet event and at last year’s country champs she was a gold medallist in the open women’s flags, achieved bronze in the under 17 flags and was a finalists in the sprints.
Taryn then went on to compete at the Australian titles, where she came seventh in the flags, a wonderful achievement for a country girl.
Taryn said she hopes to retain her country title for the open event.
The 17-year-old will progress through to the under 19 event this year and said she loves the challenge and hope to clean up in that age category as well.