Conditions put youth athletes to the test

Twenty of WA’s emerging surf sports athletes headed to Alexandra Headlands earlier this month to contest the SLSA Youth Pathway Cup.

Run alongside the annual SLSA Interstate Championships, for many of the U14 and U15 athletes this was their first taste of national competition and an exciting opportunity to test their skills alongside other Australian youth talent.

With pumping surf, conditions on the day proved tricky, testing the skills of the water athletes and providing important learning experiences for all involved as well as great preparation leading into the WA and Australian Championships.

While performances all round were commendable, special mention to Quinns-Mindarie’s Tana Wesley who took first in the U14 Male Beach Sprint, then teamed up for another win in the U14 Male Beach Relay, while Sorrento’s Caleb Bailey took 3rd in the U15 Beach Flags. Our female beachies also performed well as Megan McCaffrey (North Cottesloe) took 2nd in the U14 Female Beach Flags and Lucy Hills (Floreat) placed 3rd in the U15’s.

In the water, Scarboro’s Alice Harwood and Trigg Island’s Daniel Beales both placed 5th in their respective U15 Swim Race events, while Daniel also took a 4th in the U15 Run Swim Run. On  the board, City of Perth’s Nathan Hunt and Jarvis Carne (Trigg Island) took 6th & 7th respectively in the U15 board race, while  Mikaela Innocent (Trigg Island) took 7th in the female event.

Final placings saw WA close out the event in 4th place behind NSW, QLD & SA – congratulations to all athletes involved adn thanks to Team Managers Rob Innocent, Mark Muir & Lara Taylor.

SLSWA’s Youth Pathway Cup Team is fully subsidised by Surf Life Saving WA. Thanks also to our official apparel supplier Engine Swim.

See the full Youth Pathway Cup Team here