Seniors perform well at 2017 State Championships @ Swansea Belmont
Final wrap up of results for our Masters & Seniors at the 2017 Suirf Life Saving New South Wales Championships at Swansea Belmont saw the club pick up 1 Gold & 1 Bronze medal....bit light on from previous years but the effort of our members can't be questioned.
Gold to our Open Men's Gelcon crew of Shane Geloven, Dean Roberts, Heath Mercer, Ben Lowe & Fraser Worthington who successfully defended their title from last season (Bulli have won the last 4 NSW Open Boat titles).
Bronze to our U15 Female Surf Team of Zara Sharman, Kaimana Fittock, Sian Bourke & Jasmine Locke.
Top 6 placings & points to the club were;
- 4th 220yrs Masters Men's Boat Crew (Barry Lowe, NIgel Taylor, Peter McLaren, Rod Mercer & Chris Mercer)
- Kaimana Fittock 4th U15 Iron person
- Zara Sharman 5th U15 Iron person, 5th U15 Female Surf & 6th U15 Female Board
- U23 Men's Boat crew 5th (got smashed when leading back to shore) Barry Lowe, Albert Smeaton, Iszak Lunney, Kyle Mercer & Lachlan O'Grad
- Open Men's Black Sheep crew finished 6th in the Open final Paul Jones, Damien Clark, Dan Porra, Mitch Roberts & Adam Barlow.
It was all about surf over the days of competition & in a fair few races our members were sitting in great positions only for 'hughie' to not favour us, oh well bring on Aussies! #mysurflife#carnivalwithwaves
Well done to our U19 Boat crew (Paul Jones, Braiden Bryne, Brendan Neville, Hamish Bell & Max Vercoe) on making the last 8 at their first major carnival.
Top 10 finishes also to Mali Taylor U19 Female iron person,our U15 girls in the Female Board Relay & Cameron Relay 
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Nippers do club proud!
Final wash up for our nippers at the 2017 NSW Surf Life Saving Age Championships at Swansea Belmont over the past 3 days. 4 seasons of weather greeted everybody over the days, surf conditions varied & timetables changed due to the weather & surf but all up our kids did outstandingly!
Heaps of finals, many first timers competing and 5 medals brought home. 36 kids did the club proud and we are sure there are some proud parents.
It is all about racing in a team environment, achieving goals and personal bests, meeting new friends and enjoying the moment and from all reports our kids had this in bucket loads.
Massive congratulations to our medal winners;
* 2nd U10 Female Board Grace Crittenden
* 2nd U13 Mixed Cameron Relay Jade van Duin, Lucas Ottaway, Jeremy Woodford & Heath Wheeler
* 3rd U12 Female Board Rescue Chelsea Jones & Sara Locke
* 3rd U11 Female Board Rescue Imogen James & Jazz Munro
* 3rd U13 Male Surf Lucas Ottaway
Top 6 placings and earning points for the club were;
- 4th U13 Iron-person Lucas Ottaway
- 4th U12 Female Surf Chelsea Jones
- 4th U13 Male Surf Teams Jack Pritchard, Heath Wheeler, Jeremy Woodford & Lucas Ottaway
- 5th U13 Female Surf Holly Holmesby
- 5th U12 Female Surf Teams Sarah Locke, Chelsea Jones, Kiri Crittenden & Jazz Munro
- 6th U11 Mixed Cameron Relay Zane Hammersley, Imogen James, Jazz Munro & Brayden Woodford
BULLI SLSC finished 17th in the overall point-score!
A lot of effort goes in behind the scenes during the season with coaching & making sure that proficiency's are completed and then of course leading into and at the championships logistics need to be coordinated and people putting their hands up for roles that the club needs to fulfill.
Thank you to all that played a part including our club coaches, team manager/age managers, competition secretary, club officials, parents that put their hand up to transport craft & tents to the event, our hard working officials, water safety personnel, guys that performed IRB power-craft duties and our members doing first aid shifts.
The club is so proud of your efforts.
Check out the gallery soon for some photos of the weekend.
Open Men's Boat Crew win 2016/2017 Ocean Thunder Boat Series
Our Open Men's Boat Crew known as 'Dial before you Dig' BULLI SLSC needed a big performance last weekend to claim the overall series at the Ocean Thunder Pro Boat Series held at Dee Why.
Going into the last round they sat 2nd with 3 points seperating them from leaders Collaroy.
Well the rest is history as they say with the Open Men's 'Dial before you Dig' crew demolishing the crews in the final of Ocean Thunder Pro Surf Boat Series...winning by over 50m some experts said.
In doing so they claimed victory in this 4th rd & overall just pipping Collaroy by one point.
Great work Shane Geloven, Ben Lowe, Heath Mercer, Fraser Worthington & Dean Roberts.
NEW SOUTH WALES Reps - Open Men's Boat Crew
NSW Surfboat Interstate Team Announced
Congratulations to the eight crews selected to represent NSW at the 2017 Surfboat Interstate Championships at Shellharbour on Friday 17 February.
Well done to our curent Australian Champion's Open Men's crew that has gained selection as the NSW OPen Men's crew at the up coming ASRL Inter-state event. They had been knocking on the door the past couple of season's so todays announcement is welcomed.
The boys have been dominant all season as we now head into the major championships.
The Interstate Surfboat Championships kicks off on the morning of Friday 17 February at Shellharbour SLSC.
NSW Surfboat Interstate Team
Open Men
Bulli Gelcon:
Dean Roberts
Ben Lowe
Heath Mercer
Fraser Worthington
Shane Geloven
Great Day at Shannon Eckstein Clinic
Wow what a day at the Shannon Eckstein Ironman Clinic (Monday 16 January), learning from the best ironman in history, kids from Bulli SLSC, Warilla Barrack Point SLSC, Shellharbour SLSC, North Wollongong SLSC, Corrimal SLSC, Wanda SLSC, Wollongong City SLSC & Towradgi SLSC were treated to a special day!
Weather sensational, surf was ok and a top selection of coaches/athletes/former athletes to assist Shannon including Dan Norton-Smith (Currumbin SLSC coach), Greg Miller, Brittany Jimenz (formerly Sharkey), Tim Schofield (current Aus Life saving Captain from Terrigal SLSC), Scott Jones (Bulli SLSC head coach) & Jamie Caldwell.
Special mention to all of our members that worked behind the scenes with set up, pack up, registration, food preparation, water safety, you people are a special brand of person & the club is very lucky to have you as a member.
Thanks also to sponsors assisting on the day FINZ Swimwear, Bulli Fruit & Deli, Bulli Beach Cafe, Kellogg’s Nutri Grain, Ngaoara, InFront Surf Craft, Envie Fitness & Responder 1......can’t wait for next year!
Shannon Eckstein Clinic - Monday 16 January 2017
ron Champ To Pass On Lessons To Next Gen Racers
He’s been crowned the best Ironman over a series an incredible 9 times over a career already destined to be remembered as one of the greatest we have seen, and now Shannon Eckstein has set his eyes on encouraging the next generation of surf sport athletes.
Next Monday 16 January the superstar competitor will bring his considerable knowledge and wealth of experiences to Bulli Beach for an all-day Ironman clinic.
Bulli SLSC President and a handy surf sport competitor himself Keith Caldwell believes it’s a fantastic opportunity for the youngsters.
“This is the fourth years we have held it at Bulli and it really is a blast with everyone always having a good time,” said Keith Caldwell.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for not just Illawarra youngsters but for all those passionate about improving their skills in surf competition.
“In the past we have had a participant from Broulee on the Far South Coast and regularly have kids from as far as Sydney, Central Coast, and Newcastle come down and it’s a chance for them to spend some time in the water of a different beach which will help them in future competitions,” he said.
Targeted at those between the age groups of 10-17 the idea to create the clinic was spearheaded by Eckstein about five years ago.
“Shannon was really keen to give something back but he never really had the time with his own training commitments. Now we travel all around the country and have delivered about 20 of these clinics since we started,” said Dan Norton-Smith Currumbin surf club coach and also the coach of champion Ironwoman Liz Pluimers.
The experienced taskmaster who will be on hand to share his knowledge during the course said program participants can expect a full program.
“Bulli is a good location and our previous days have been good. They’ve always been well attended, and the kids really thrive on it,” said Norton-Smith.
“It really is a full package and a hard day of training. We do a lot of technique and video analysis of everyone’s board paddling. In addition we pass on tips of race strategies, psychology and the importance of proper nutrition.
“Shannon is in his element the kids hang off every word because they know that he has been there and done that. It’s a great thing to see,” he said.
For more information about this exciting opportunity please visit the event page.
Photograph - - Action from the 2016 clinic at Bulli Beach
Club Xmas Raffle prize winners
The 2016 Bulli SLSC Xmas Raffle was drawn on Xmas Eve at Bulli Workers Club!
🎉 Congratulations 
🎊 to the following people;
1st Prize - Balgownie World Travel - a Member of Helloworld $3,000 voucher - Greer Kyrre
2nd Prize - Hi Tech Marine Fishing Trip value $2,000 - Paul Parlato
3rd Prize - Beko Home Appliances Voucher $1,000 - Dave O'Grady
4th Prize - Glitz N Glamour Photography Pack value $500 - Matt Jaques
5th Prize - Woolworths Hamper value $200 - Matt Roodenrys
All Prize winners winners will be contact from Boxing Day onwards with details on how to claim their prizes.
Thanks to everyone that supported Bulli SLSC's Xmas Raffle!
$5,647.00 towards our Building Fund.
Merry Xmas & Happy New Year
Message from Club President Keith Caldwell;
" Thank you to all of our members that have worked really hard in all aspects of our surf club in the first part of the season. It has been hard without a surf club premises to operate out of, but our leaders in each area have stood up & done a great job. To our sponsors & supporters who have remained so loyal our members really appreciate it. To our patrolling members this period is always busy with visitors flocking to our beach please remain vigilante & continue to deliver a great lifesaving service to the community. To all our members & their families on behalf of our Board of Directors & Management Committee we wish you a safe & merry Xmas plus a happy New Year."
Inter Branch results - our athletes
Well our kids/athletes competed strongly for Illawarra last weekend at Inter-Branch and got some great results, top three podium finishes included;
1st Chelsea Jones U12 Female Surf
1st Kaimana Fittock U15 Female Surf (Zara Sharman actually got 2nd but only 1st Illawarra athlete counts in individual race)
1st Kaimana Fittock U15 Female Board
1st Zara Sharman U15 Iron person
1st in U15 Female Surf Team (Kai & Zara)
1st U15 Female Board Team (Kai & Zara)
1st U15 Female Iron person Team (Zara & Kai)
2nd Holly Holmesby U13 Female Surf
2nd U12 Female Surf Team (Chelsea Jones & Sarah Locke)
2nd U13 Male Surf Team (Lucas Ottaway & Jeremy Woodford)
2nd U13 Male Iron Person Team (Lucas Ottaway & Jeremy Woodford)
2nd Open Mixed Board Relay (Jake Hogarth)
2nd U13 Mixed Board Relay (Lucas Ottaway & Holly Holmesby)
3rd Lucas Ottaway U13 Male Surf
3rd Lucas Ottaway U13 Iron person
3rd Holly Holmesby U13 Iron person
3rd in the Combined U12-U13-U14 Female Board Rescue Relay (Sarah Locke, Chelsea Jones, Holly Holmesby)
Thank you Ryan Park (State Member for Keira) - $40K to our surf club!
Great news from State Member for Keira Ryan Park today....our surf club was successful in the 2016 NSW Community Building Partnership to the tune of $40,000. This money will go towards Stage 2 of our project for the disabled lift. Massive thank you to Ryan from our members & the community on supporting the surf life saving movement. #mysurflife #thankyouryanpark #dollarsforbullislsc
17 members selected in SLSI Branch Team
Good Luck to our club representatives who have been selected in the Surf Life Saving Illawarra Branch Team to contest the NSW Inter-Branch Championships at The Lakes SLSC (Central Coast) this weekend 10/11 December.
U12 Chelsea Jones - Caleb Sharman – Sarah Locke
U13 Lucas Ottaway – Holly Holmesby – Jeremy Woodford
U14 Max Ottaway – Coen Taylor - Iluka Budai
U15 Kaimana Fittock – Zara Sharman
U19 Mali Taylor
Open Jake Hogarth - Alexandra Smiroldo – Michael Locke
Team Management Head Coach Jake Hogarth – Manager Keith Caldwell
Surf Life Saving Illawarra Branch Team during the week trained at Bulli Beach and on the Monday night they headed off to Bulli Workers Club for dinner. Members of our club were pretty excited to hear from the Special Guest speaker who was our own Matt Freeman
👍one of our best surf sports athletes in the club's history...his record speaks for itself 8 times Aus rep, 38 NSW medals including 17 Gold, 14 Aus medals including 5 Gold & 4 World medals including 2 Gold...outstanding record! He spoke from the heart as he always does to the team about being a team player, believe in yourself & be proud of representing your club & branch.
Riding the Wave Program for special needs kids
Great effort by our members getting involved in the 'Riding the Wave' Program for special needs kids. A program supported by NSW Sport & Recreation & Surf Life Saving Illawarra. The first 4 week block is about to finish next week with another 4 week block in January continuing.
Showing great community spirit to support such a worthy cause. Well done to everybody involved.....heaps of helpers...kids/family loved it👍
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2016 Sydney Water Surf Series results
Some excellent results by our members over the four rounds of the 2016 Sydney Water Surf Series this season. Here is a wrap up of the Sydney Water Surf Series...all of our kids/athletes over the 4 rounds, some inspiration racing & results.
Thank you to our members that assisted as administration for the series (many hours behind the scenes), competition secretaries, team managers, age managers, officials (many in key positions), water safety & supporting parents👍👏.
To our results with top 5 finishes all receiving Sydney Water prize packs;
1st U11 Boys Water Brayden Woodford (InFront Board)
1st U13 Boys Water Lucas Ottaway (InFront Board)
1st Open Male Ski point score Micheal Locke
2nd U9 Girls Water Stephanie Staniforth
2nd U10 Girls Water Grace Crittenden
2nd U13 Girls Water Holly Holmesby
2nd U14 Girls Beach Iluka Budai
2nd U15 Female Water Kaimana Fittock
2nd Open Female Surf & Iron Woman Mali Taylor
3rd U9 Girls Water Maddison Jones
3rd U11 Girls Water Jasmine Munro
3rd U12 Girls Water Chelsea Jones
3rd U13 Boys Water Jeremy Woodford
3rd U15 Girls Water Zara Sharman
5th Boys Water Fletcher James.
Excellent effort #mysurflife#bullislsc
General Meeting Sunday 18th December
Bulli SLSC will be holding a General Meeting for members at Bulli Workers Club on Sunday 18th December 3.30 pm.
Christmas celebrations for members will be at the Workers club following the meeting.
November happenings at the club - busy!!
Well things are beginning to hot up as we head towards Xmas!
Find below a quick update on what is happening around Bulli SLSC this weekend (26/27 November);
Surf Sports - Round 3 of Sydney Water Surf Series is at Woonona on Saturday - we have approx 50 members competing and our boat crews will be rowing at the Mollymook Boat Classic as well.
Saturday evening we will be having a social BBQ in the park underneath the pine trees at Bulli Beach - everyone is welcome. The Club BBQ will be available to use. BYO meat and drink....Junior section will be supplying sausage sizzle for the young ones! Commencing at 5pm.
Patrols on Sunday are as follows:
8.45am -1.30pm - Patrol 5 - Jamie Thorpe (Capt), Iszak Lunney, Dave Kohler, Tobias Lunney, Kyle Mercer, Albert Smeaton, Brock Walsh, Coen Taylor, Kaimana Ftock, Zara Sharman, Jasmine Locke
1.15pm-6.00pm Patrol 6 - Gary Arnold (Capt), Curtis Allnutt, Bernadette Cardillo, Alex Smiroldo, Sheree Farrell, Jason Colquhoun, Damien Clarke, Adam Smith, Baxter Bowler-Prentice, Holly Colquhoun, Isabella Dark, Shelby Cresswell, Euan Colquhoun, Callum Sweeny
Remember to organise a swap if you cant make it and please be on time and in full uniform.
And to the members of the public that may be reading this...please swim between the red & yellow patrol flags...if unsure ask a patrolling member in the red & yellow uniform.
Skills Maintenance (Proficiencies) will be on this Sunday 27 November. Please report at containers at 915am for 930am start. All awards covered. A reminder to all patrolling members, suf sports competitors and water safety personnel with either Bronze or Surf Rescue Certicate that a proficiency must be done each year!
Membership: We still have some members that have not renewed their membership yet! Please go to /joinrenew/ and follow the instructions on how to renew. Any issues, please contact Maria at bullisurfclub@gmail.com
Nippers will be on from 930am - this week is Surf Education with our Under 9 parents rostered on for BBQ duty. Reminder to our families from over Campbelltown/Narellan way that Bulli Pass is still closed but good news - this weekend is the last weekend!! It has been announced that Bulli Pass will reopen from next Friday!!
Our Christmas Raffle is up and running - all nipper families should have their tickets and some have already been returned - thank you! Senior members - please catch up with Rebecca Colquhoun on Sunday morning at Nippers (9.30am-10.30am) to pick up your book to sell. All proceeds go to Stage 2 of our Building project.....help the cause!
Riding the Wave Nipper program continues this Sunday. Thank you to all our volunteers from last Sunday and hope to see you all this Sunday! If anyone would like to volunteer please come along and meet at the Club tents in the park at 1030am for 1045am start. The program goes for approx. 1 hour. No experience necessary, just a hands on approach and plenty of smiles and wanting to have fun!
Senior Orders are now being taken for Hooded Towels - to be maroon in colour with club logo on same. Approx cost will be $65-$70. Great to throw over cossies etc. Please reply to bullisurfclub@gmail.com or text Keith 0414 258 295 if you wish to place an order Sizes are Small, Medium and Large. Orders close Friday 2 December.
We are pleased to announce we will be holding the Shannon Eckstein Clinic again on Monday 16 January 2017. Please see previous news story with flyer and nomination form. There has been a lot of interest already for the clinic so get your nomination in as soon as possible so you dont miss out on a spot.
If you have any questions, queries etc please do not hesitate to contact the club at bullisurfclub@gmail.com
See you on the beach!
Regards
Keith Caldwell
President
Bulli SLSC
Ph 0414 258 295
Shannon Eckstein Ironman Clinic
Bulli SLSC is happy to announce that Shannon Eckstein is returning to Bulli Beach on Monday 16th January 2017 for the Shannon Eckstein Ironman clinic.
Click here for details.
15 members selected in 2016 SLSI Branch Team
Congratulations to our members that have been selected in the 2016 Surf Life Saving Illawarra Inter-Branch Team to race at The Lakes SLSC (Central Coast) on the 10/11 December 2016;
U12 Male Caleb Sharman
U12 Female Chelsea Jones & Sarah Locke
U13 Male Lucas Ottaway & Jeremy Woodford
U13 Female Holly Holmesby
U14 Male Max Ottaway & Coen Taylor
U14 Female Iluka Budai
U15 Female Kaimana Fittock & Zara Sharman
U19 Female Mali Taylor
Open Female Alexandra Smiroldo
Team Management includes Head Coach Jake Hogarth & Team Manager Keith Caldwell
Good Luck!
Bulli Open Men's Boat Crew win 1st Rd of Ocean Thunder
Congratulations to our 'Dial Before You Dig'Open Men's Boat Crew (Shane Geloven, Dean Roberts, Heath Mercer, Ben Lowe & Fraser Worthington) on their win of Event # 1 of Ocean Thunder 2016/2017 at Dee Why.
The boys were always at the pionty end of their races all day & thoroughly deserved their victory, over the years not having a lot of luck in this series.
2nd - North Cottesloe
3rd - The Beach Club, Collaroy XXXX Gold
Zara Sharman & Kaimana Fittock selected in SLSNSW Senior Performance Academy
Well done Zara Sharman & Kaimana Fittock, two of our promising U15 surf sports athletes on gaining selecting into this highly sought after squad.
Congratulations to the 28 athletes who have been selected for the 2016 Senior Performance Academy to be held next month at the Sydney Academy of Sport.
The emerging elite athletes from U15, U17, U19 and Opens will be given the opportunity to experience some of the country’s best high performance training and testing equipment with access to the top coaches in NSW, Jim Walker (North Bondi) and Scott McCartney (Cudgen Headland).
This program forms part of the Surf Life Saving NSW athlete development pathway and has potential to lead to selection in the state team.
The camp will be held at the Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen from 11-13 November 2016 and will include training sessions with state coaches, technical analysis, education sessions and team building exercises.
Surf Life Saving NSW Sports Development Officer, Tim Piper says the athletes should make the most of this opportunity.
“Being selected in the Senior Performance Academy is a great stepping stone for NSW athletes looking to further their skills in the water,” Tim Piper said.
“It’s also great for the selected athletes to know previous participants have represented NSW and Australia so I’m sure if they continue to work hard they’ll be considered for further teams.”
Senior Performance Academy Athletes:
Under 15:
- Charli Brown (North Curl Curl)
- Hayley Smith (Cudgen Headland)
- Kaimana Fittock (Bulli)
- Kirsten Miller (Umina)
- Lachlan Braddish (Umina)
- Lachlan McLeod (Umina)
- Zach Morris (Manly)
- Zachary Roja (North Cronulla)
- Zara Sharman (Bulli)
Under 17:
- Anthea Warne (Cudgen Headland)
- Emily Eaves (Wanda)
- Finn Flaherty (Avoca Beach)
- Hamish Donkin (North Bondi)
- Harry Armstrong (Avoca Beach)
- Jake Evans (Elouera)
- James Finn (Newport)
- Jami Prowse (North Curl Curl)
- Jaz Rodwell (Umina)
Under 19:
- Beau Jeffries (Avoca Beach)
- Caitlin Callahan (Byron Bay)
- Jackson Borg (Newport)
- Jy Timperley (Byron Bay)
- Lachlan O'Reilly (Coffs Harbour)
- Tayla Tullett (Newport)
- Zak Van Dartel (Terrigal)
Open:
- Lachlan Galea-Stacker (Elouera)
- Madison Spencer (Newport)
- Nathan Neale (Elouera)
Congratulations Alexandra Smiroldo - NSW Pool Rescue Rep!
Well done to Alexandra Smiroldo who has gained selection in the 2016 NSW U18 Pool Rescue Development Team that will tour New Zealand this month.
The 11-strong team of talented 16-18 year olds will compete in Auckland at the New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships from 6-10 October 2016.
This tour is a great stepping stone for younger athletes to be able to progress in the sport of Pool Rescue and Surf Life Saving. And be introduced to some of the many representative options available in the movement.
Last year’s team lead by Callum Lowe-Griffiths (Queenscliff) and Jemma Smith (Umina) successfully returned home with 27 medals from the with duo having on to be selected in the Youth Australian Life Saving Team to compete at this year’s World Championships.
Congratulations to the athletes and team management who have been selected for the tour.
2016 NSW Pool Rescue Development Team:
Keeley Booth - Avoca Beach SLSC
Nathan Clarke – Wanda SLSC
Jack Curran - Caves Beach SLSC
Emily Doyle – Manly LSC
Timothy Ford – Cronulla SLSC
Gabrielle Kay - Byron Bay SLSC
Bailey Proud – Redhead SLSC
Alexandra Smiroldo – Bulli SLSC
Matthew Sperring - Warilla Barrack-Point SLSC
Kurt Stavrou – Wanda SLSC
Anthea Warne - Cudgen Headland SLSC
Team Management:
Head Coach - Ela Heiniger (Byron Bay SLSC)
Team Manager - Blake McCrindle (Wanda SLSC)
Team Chaperone - Shelley Smith (Ocean Beach/Umina SLSC)
Alex is one of our promising pool rescue athletes who swims with Campbelltown Swiming Club. She hopes to also improve her skills in the surf this season.
This will be a great expereince for Alex and the club wishes her all the best in this tour.