Young surf stars shine for Port Douglas

Surf Life Saving

Bryan Littlely

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Young Port Douglas Surf Life Saving stars Ruby Harty, Elise Wright and Marlee Onekawa have their focus on State Champs in March. Picture: Bryan Littlely
Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club members in action at the Branch Championships in Cairns. Picture: Steph Wark

Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club has shone at the Branch Championships held in Cairns on the weekend of October 12 and 13, with a haul of seven Age Champions.

Rising to the top of their age groups in the fierce competition were Jett Harty, Marlee Onekawa, Elise Wright, and Masters competitors Irene Cats, Carie Kelliher, Grant Knight and John Goodman.

Grant Knight also picked up the Wayne Porsch Memorial Trophy for the Open Male Ski Race.

And while the club celebrated its success, wrapping up its Nippers season on Saturday, October 19 with fun and games, Under 11 girls Ruby Harty, Elise Wright and Marlee Onekawa have their sights now set on representing the North Queensland Branch at the State Championships in March on the Gold Coast.

Nicki Harty will join the girls at the event as the team manager and they and Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club have been busy combining a busy training schedule with fundraising to cover the costs of uniforms and to be at the event.

“It takes a fair commitment from these girls as they are training multiple days a week and going to Cairns for that too,’’ Nicki said.

Ruby and Marlee have been surf life saving since the age of 5, while Elise is new to the sport this year.

“We moved here and we were looking for sports to do and surf life saving was my pick,’’ Elise said.

Marlee nominated sprints as her favourite event while Ruby rattled off a long list of disciplines the girls compete in, including flags, sprints, boards, iron person and swims.

To date the girls have raised $2500, with the Tin Shed donating $1500. They will need to raise around $5000 to cover the cost.

Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club has more than 160 members, including 61 junior members. Sign on for the 2025 Season will be in March.

Young surf live savers in action. Picture: Steff Wark
Set for a start at the surf life saving Branch Championships at Cairns. Picture: Steff Wark
Young surf life savers ready for a board paddle event. Picture: Steff Wark
Racing at the start of the board paddle. Picture: Steff Wark

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