Kiama SLSC hosted The Saddleback Cup on Sunday 26 November, an annual surf carnival between Gerringong, Kiama Downs and Kiama Surf Clubs for nippers aged from as young as 5 up to 14. 

Perfect conditions made for a memorable morning that gave many nippers their first taste of competing for their club in a friendly, teams-only event. A mixture of relay races including swimming, board paddling, rescues, wading and running meant that all the nippers had a chance to compete in age-appropriate events.  

Mayor Reilly attended to conclude the event with the Surf Carnival Classic - the all ages relay – where a competitor from each age group, for a total of nine in each relay team, go head-to-head. Not to be outdone, the parents then lined up for what proved to be the loudest, most competitive race of the day for a nine-person parent relay! The opportunity to yell at the parents was not missed by any of the kids.

While definitely a friendly competition, points were kept and Kiama managed to edge out Gerringong by four points in the nippers competition with Kiama Downs in third. However, the parent relay was convincingly won by Gerringong, followed in second by Kiama Downs. We did a recount and confirmed Gerringong won, secured by the final race of the day! 

Congratulations Gerringong! We’re looking forward to seeing that race get more competitive with each passing year!

A huge thanks to all the parent volunteers from all the clubs who made the event possible and of course, Kiama’s fantastic BBQ crew who had no small task feeding so many hungry kids.

Photo credits Kristie Laird