The biggest ever Lifeline High Schools Surf Challenge meant the friendly competition had to be extended to two days, but that didn’t stop the opening day of the challenge from getting off to a flying start, with the Girls Division final and Boys Division heats held at Queenscliff Beach on Wednesday, 8 May.
Narrabeen Sports High School proved victorious, taking out the 2024 Lifeline High Schools Surf Challenge Girls Division, and finishing ahead of NBSC Mackellar Girls, Barrenjoey High School and Pymble Ladies College.
The Narrabeen Girls team of Uli Kapferer, Bodhi Jay Moana, Lily Sain, Annalise Wong & Chloe Bosnjak posted a combined team score of 50.18, finishing a healthy 11.4 points clear of second place NBSC Mackellar Girls with a combined 38.78.
Annalise Wong was the standout for Narrabeen, scoring a 6.00 and 5.00 point Power-wave (double points) with the 16.00 point total being the top score in the Girls final.
“It was wonderful to see the teams from different schools cheering each other on and being so supportive of their competitors,” said Sarah Grattan, CEO of Lifeline Northern Beaches. “The High School Surf Challenge is a great way for schools to come together to promote wellbeing
through physical activity, plus it reminds students that Lifeline is available to support them if needed with our 24/7 telephone line plus local counselling services for anyone aged 15 years or older.”
In the Boys Division, a record thirty-two teams started in round 1 with the finals scheduled to be held at Queenscliff Beach on Wednesday, 12 June.
NBSC Freshwater Senior Campus are the defending Champions and will face some tough competition from St Augustine’s, Mater Maria, Narrabeen Sports High and Knox Grammar when the competition resumes in June.
Contest Director Steve Harrison said entries had doubled since last year. “It’s great to see all the high schools giving their students the opportunity to compete and represent their school,” Harrison said.
“NBSC Balgowlah Boys entered five teams which is the most any high school has ever entered. It’s such a great day to see all the kids having a good time at the beach.”
The Lifeline High Schools Surf Challenge is a lead-in event for the annual Lifeline Classic – held in September at Queenscliff and raising funds for Lifeline Northern Beaches.
You can find out more about the High Schools Surf Challenge and the Lifeline Classic at lifelineclassic.com.au
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