Bribie nippers shine at carnival

Lily Smith, Laura Fawcett and Afrikah McGladrigan from Dicky Beach Sunshine Coast Nippers Branch Titles at Dicky Beach

Warren Lynam

OUR young nippers kept on the heels of Sunshine Coast competitors at the Sunshine Coast Junior Branch Championships last weekend.

Bribie Island club chairman of junior activities David Cumner said he was pleased with Bribie's performance despite going up against strong clubs such as Maroochydore and Alexander Headland.

"We had very good conditions," he said

"In every age group we had one team qualify for state championships," he said.

About 1000 competitors flocked to the event held at Dicky Beach, Caloundra, on February 11 and 12.

Of those 40 smiling faces were our own, many of which qualified for the state championships at Maroochydore in March.

"Bribie did exceptionally well on the beach last weekend. They claimed many medals in both teams and individual events," Bribie Junior Surf Life Saving spokeswoman Tania Stickler said.

Bribie managed second in the all age relay event with under 11 Lachlan Alleyne and Ethan Witt, under 12 Taylor Stickler and Ricky Wootton, under 13 Jacob Reid and Josh Bunney and under 14 Selene Wootton and Amy O'Shaughnessy on the team.

The side also claimed gold in the under 11 boys' beach sprint relay and silver in the under 12 girls beach sprint.

It was a great event for under 11 competitor Lachlan Alleyne who won gold in the flags and sprints.

Cumner said under 12 nipper, Taylor Stickler, was a standout throughout the weekend. She claimed gold in flags and sprints.

Under 14 Selene Wootton also claimed silver in the beach flags.

While Bribie performed exceptionally in the beach events, Cumner said there was still room to improve.

"We need to improve in our swimming and board areas," he said.

"However in the water area we had five competitors make finals and one competitor in iron man."

The iron man was under 12 Cory Cumner who had his eye on finals at state with a little extra training.

Overall the Maroochydore side took out first place with more than 500 points.

Stickler credited beach coach Bruce Cook for Bribie's success on the beach in 2012.

On March 9-11 Bribie's high achievers will head to Maroochydore for the state titles.