Macksville-Scotts Head Surf Life Saving Club sweep Garry Johnson belied his 71-years when he steered two crews to gold medals, and a third to a silver medal, for the Mid North Coast Branch Championships late last month.

The over 220-year-old crew of Jim Brazel, Ralph Johnson, John Silver and Rod Marshall celebrated receiving the Australia Day Senior Sports Team title when they dominated their opposition in the open men’s competition, competing in an event against crews many years their junior.

The reserve crew of Michael and Todd Johnson, Zac Noble and Caitlyn Hockey suprised many, especially the highly fancied Crescent Head crew, when they took out first in their event thanks to some powerful rowing.

The Masters Crew, of Butch Laverty, Darrell Perks, Michael Coulter and Stacey Cooper, with Garry Johnson at the keel, faced strong opposition, particularly from the Bonnie Hills Club, but still managed to cross the line in second place for a silver medal.

Garry was not the only successful sweep on the day for the Macksville-Scotts Head Club – with Keith ‘Mooki’ McKay piloting the women’s crew of Mellissa Bell, Stacey Cooper, Belinda Reed and Rebecca Mitchell to the club’s third medal of the day.

In other club news, eleven candidates were successfully presented for the award of either their bronze medallion or their surf life saving certificates in January, boosting the club’s patrol numbers.

A new training squad will begin soon, so anyone interested in completing their bronze or SLSC, should contact the club.