After originally being scheduled to run at Queenscliff Beach, the 2022 Lifeline High Schools Surf Challenge event organisers had little choice but to relocate, with Queenscliff’s water quality resembling the Star Wars trash compactor scene.
Migrating north, organisers lucked into punchy, smooth-faced performance waves at Dee Why, allowing the 20 teams of this year’s event to rip into a searing hot day of competition, with high schools competing from all over the Northern Beaches and North Shore taking part, including some of Australia’s best junior surfers
In the Girls Division, Narrabeen Sports High’s Isabel Higgs was the standout, posting a two-wave total of 17.33 for some stylish frontside manoeuvres which set up the win for Narrabeen. Higgs’ teammates Bodhi Gavranic Worsley (9.43), Charlie Daish (9.33), Lilliana Vissard (4.77) and Lola O’Rourke (3.07) led the final from start to finish with Pymble Ladies College finishing runners up for a second straight year. Cayla Phillips (15.50) was Pymble Ladies College highest scorer with Kali Gray (9.47) the top scorer for NBSC Freshwater and Marli Dodson (7.63) St Luke’s Grammar’s best.
Girls Results:
1st Narrabeen Sports High (45.93), 2nd Pymble Ladies College (40.33), 3rd NBSC Freshwater (38.20), 4th St Luke’s Grammar (24.23)
St Luke’s Grammar went into the Boys Final as defending champions and started strongly with Under 14 Australian Gromsearch Champion Sol Gruendling locking in an impressive 18.83 that included a 7.17 Power wave (double points).
On paper NBSC Freshwater was the team to beat all day and by midway through the 45-minute final had established a healthy lead thanks to Xavier Bryce (19.53) and Winter Vincent (24.47) nailing some explosive backhand snaps. Bryce and Vincent were well backed up by Kalan Orchard (11.33), Will Somerville (13.80) and crowd favourite Spike Wood (3.47) to claim the school’s first victory in the Lifeline High Schools Surf Challenge. Baxter Hurt (15.90) was Narrabeen’s best in the final with Lex O’Connor (15.07) leading the way for the NBSC Balgowlah Boys team.
Boys Results:
1st NBSC Freshwater (76.60), 2nd Narrabeen Sports High (55.60), 3rd St Luke’s Grammar (50.40), 4th NBSC Balgowlah Boys (47.20)
The event was a huge success in the water, but Lifeline Northern Beaches’ CEO David Thomas was equally thrilled with the discussions raised on land, telling the Tawny, “The event was probably the most successful high schools’ event to date, with an objective to normalise the conversation of mental health. One of the event’s key aims is to lift the relevance of Lifeline Northern Beaches to our youth as a trusted and available service if they or their friends need someone to turn to in times of crisis.”
Watch the action from the day with this 5 minute video wrap up, click here
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