In the first time in the surf life saving club’s history, Hat Head has finished above South West Rocks and Kempsey-Crescent Head in the overall rank and points at the Stramit NSW Country SLS Championships.

Hat Head finished in 17th place with 93 points while South West Rocks, 59 points and Kempsey-Crescent Head, 31 points were outside the top 20 of the 39 competing clubs.

Team Manager for the Hat Head Surf Life Saving Club Nicole Browne was shocked by their success.

“It is the first time we have been able to beat South West Rocks and Kempsey-Crescent Head at the Country Championships,” Browne explained.

“It is great for our small club to achieve such great results.”

The club was able to send 30 competitors to the championships, which is their highest number and more than double last year’s amount.

“I am not sure for the reasoning behind the increase in participants but I guess we just have a few more junior kids coming through that are more competitive,” Browne said.

“We also had a lot of seniors compete and they earned the majority of our medals.”

Browne believes the club exceeded all expectations.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Browne said.

“South West Rocks is one of the stronger clubs and normally right up there at the top.”

The competitors ranged from the under 8s to the 50-59 age division.

Mylina Clancy added 20 points to the club’s total, finishing first in the 30-39 age group beach sprint and 2km beach run, grabbed a second in the beach flags and fourth in the open female beach sprint. 

Grant Lawler, Sean Lawler and James Mitchell competed in the same age bracket for the men and finished in strong positions.

In the juniors, Thomas Fletcher and Serenity Clancy achieved placings in the final to contribute to the club’s overall score.

Kempsey-Crescent Head Surf Club achieved great results in the surf boats competitions, winning the 180s men, Open women and Open men.