Newport SLSC has extended their remarkable reign in New South Wales surf lifesaving, capturing their 11th straight NSW Open and Surf Boat Surf Life Saving Championships title at Queenscliff beach.
The Northern Beaches club’s dominance was on full display throughout the competition, culminating in a decisive victory in the championships’ final event—the Open Female Taplin Relay—where Sarah Locke completed her swim leg with a commanding lead of several hundred meters over second-place Swansea Belmont.
Newport’s Rising Star
The Newport story of the championships was 20-year-old Analise Kibble, nicknamed “AK47,” who dominated the Open category with an extraordinary clean sweep of individual events. Kibble claimed gold in the Female Board, Swim, Ski, and Iron competitions while also contributing to Newport’s Taplin Relay triumph.
Fellow Newport champion Jemma Smith, who won the 2024 Coolangatta Gold, praised Kibble’s performance, noting her intensive off-season training had clearly paid dividends.
Newport’s Multiple Podium Finishes
Newport athletes consistently reached the podium, often with multiple competitors in the same event. Beyond Kibble’s dominance, Newport’s Jackson Borg claimed victory in the Open Male Iron, prevailing over Charlie Verco and Redhead’s Dan Collins.
Brayden Woodford added to Newport’s medal tally by winning the prestigious Saxon Bird Memorial Trophy in the U19 Male Surf Race, while Lani Waller, who now competes for Newport, secured the U19 Female Swim title.
Club’s Depth on Display
The club’s depth was evident throughout the championships, with Newport competitors regularly challenging each other for top positions across various categories. This internal competition has helped fuel the club’s unprecedented 11-year championship streak.
While other clubs enjoyed success in specific disciplines—particularly in the surf boats where Bulli, South Curl Curl, Batemans Bay, and Avalon Beach claimed victories—Newport’s consistent performance across all events secured their position at the top of the overall standings, with Wanda SLSC finishing second and Swansea Belmont in third.
The March 16 championships once again confirmed Newport’s status as the premier surf lifesaving club in New South Wales, with their dynasty showing no signs of weakening.
Published 16-March-2025
