Seven days, 198kms, rowing from Batemans Bay to Eden - The George Bass Marathon is not for the faint of heart. And for ten locals all above the age of 40, their hearts couldn’t be further from faint.Competing in the Men's Veterans Surf Boats event, the ten rowers representing Kiama will tackle distances ranging from 19 to 36 km each day, starting on 29 December and finishing on 4 January.The crew consists of 8 rowers - Evan Westlake (56), Ian Backhouse (65), Alan Swan (56), Matthew Barnes (47), Dave Selby (57), Nathan McInerny (41), Martin Walker (51) and Ben George (48) - as well as a sweep - Steven Swain (79) - and super reverse Reece Gregory (41).Ian Backhouse is the boat captain and Secretary of Kiama SLSC, and he says that the effort and commitment of the crew has been sensational."These guys have made an awesome commitment to a really intense training regime over the past five months, and it's a real credit to them," says Backhouse.The crew began training in the last weekend of June, initially on the rowing machine in the Kiama Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) clubhouse. But as the weather has warmed up, they have started to train at Minnamurra River and are now rowing out at sea from Kiama Harbour.The surf boat only allows for four rowers and one sweep at a time, and to give the guys a break they swap over every 20 minutes or so. This involves a complicated maneuver, of the current crew jumping out of the boat, and the other crew jumping in, in deep water. Backhouse says training for this part of the race is essential.“That's where the race could be won and lost simply through transitions. If you're having trouble getting people in and out of the boat, that slows the boat down enormously,” says BackhouseThe 2024-25 race will be Backhouse’s second George Bass Marathon and he says the first time he did it was probably the hardest thing he’s ever done.“I think it’s the hardest thing I've ever done because it's seven days in a row. The first day is 31kms (the second longest leg) and you're exhausted, right? And your body thinks, how did I survive that? And you survive it, and your body does it, and it's all in your head,” says Backhouse.“Basically, you just tell your body to get on with it. Even though you think you're going to break, you can go beyond that and still function as a human being, and still be effective in the boat. And you learn that about yourself, which is quite a remarkable realisation.”So, why come back for a second time? Backhouse says the challenge of the race is what brought him back again. The feeling of accomplishing something so great with a bunch of good mates who are all qualified surf life savers - is an unmatched feeling.“It makes you feel so good. And that level of fitness is remarkable in terms of how positive that is for mental health. I've struggled with mental health issues in the past, and I know that when I'm really, really working hard, that's the happiest I'm going to be. You haven't got time to think about mistakes you might have made, or dwell on issues that might seem over important or not. You've got a job to do, and you're doing it for the other members of the crew,” says Backhouse.“And it's just a really beautiful sport for that reason. The other thing is, I was no good at individual sports. I didn't have that sort of internal drive to keep myself honest about what I needed to do physically. But if I'm in a boat crew, I can’t let the other people down, and I can't let myself do that. It's remarkable, and that builds really strong relationships.”Another part of the George Bass Marathon is the surf ski event over the same course. Peter Gallagher is entered in the surf ski representing Kiama.Backhouse also expressed his gratitude to Ray White Real Estate and Kiama Lions Club for their financial support of the Surf Boat Rowing Program at Kiama SLSC off the ground. He would also like to mention and give a thank you to Boab Commercial Marine for supplying them with their support boat which will be skippered by David Griffin who is currently the Junior Activities Coordinator (Nippers) at Kiama SLSC.The Bugle wishes the Kiama crew the best of luck as they take on this incredible challenge.

GONGMANA ULTIMATE FRISBEE TOURNAMENT

Gerringong’s Lucy Darragh was officially ranked the number one under-16 female surfer in Australia after her efforts at the Australian Junior Surfing Titles, held from November 25 to December 1.The 14-year-old was trying to put rankings out of her head as she surfed at the Junior Surfing Titles, but after winning her semi-final heat and advancing to the final, her mother couldn’t resist telling her that she had already secured the top spot.“I just wanted to surf my heats without having too much pressure about where I placed in the rankings. After I won my semi-final heat, my Mum told me that I had won the rankings by getting through that heat,” says Lucy.Although she didn’t win the final, losing to Olive Hardy by 2.29 points, she had already done enough to guarantee first position overall.“I was disappointed not to take the win in Nationals, but overall, I was still stoked,” says Lucy.The event was held in Wollongong, which is almost home for Lucy, and she was grateful for the added support from her local community.Some young Lucy Darragh fans. Source: Aaron Hughes/Surfing Australia.“I felt so lucky to be competing so close to home and have so many people from my local boardriders being able to come and support me on the beach. It was really good not having to travel so far as we usually do for comps,” says Lucy.Lucy announced her major achievement on Instagram, where she received a congratulatory message from Gerringong surfing royalty, Sally Fitzgibbons - a moment Lucy was thrilled about.“Sally is one of my biggest role models because she is a nice person and an incredible surfer. I'm honoured to be recognised by her as she is such a famous name in surfing and one of my favorite female surfers,” says Lucy.Lucy ripping it up in the Aussie titles. Source: Aaron Hughes/Surfing Australia.The number-one ranking means that Lucy will represent Australia at the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Titles. She has also been nationally identified by both Surfing Australia and the ISA for 2025, making next year a significant one in her career.“It is an honour to be nationally identified by Surfing Australia, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity. With the help of the Surfing Australia coaches, one of my goals is to improve the weaknesses in my surfing,” says Lucy.“I want to work on airs, backhand barrel riding, and my rail game in 2025. Another big goal I want to accomplish is to get a medal at World Juniors next year.”Lucy’s 2024 has been outstanding. She won the U16 title at the 2024 Billabong Occy Grom Comp and at Taj’s Small Fries event in Western Australia. She also placed equal third at the World Surf League Junior Pro event, competing against surfers much older than her.The Bugle can’t wait to see what she does in 2025.

KIAMA MEN'S BASKETBALLGRAND FINALBRAKERS 32 d BRICK LAYERS 20

KIAMA WOMEN'S BASKETBALLGRAND FINALAIR BALLERS 37 d TIMMS ROOFING 33

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 8 MIXED COMPETITIONRIZE UP FITNESS VS LIGHTNING LEOPARDS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 10 MIXED COMPETITIONPEAK STREAK DRAGONS VS MINNAMURRA MAGIC

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 6UNICORN SISTERS VS EMERALD ENFORCERS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 6TAG DRAGONS VS LIGHTNING BOLTS

Kiama Cavaliers Cricket Club (KCCC) first grade captain, Jaya Hartgerink, has achieved an incredible milestone, surpassing 350 grade games for the club. The 41-year-old batsman, who first donned the Cavaliers colours in 1993 as a junior, made his debut in grade cricket in 1999, and has since become an integral figure in the KCCC’s history. Hartgerink’s 350 games include a record-breaking 261 matches in the top grade, a feat that stands as the most in the club's history.KCCC life member Bill Peters praised Hartgerink’s longevity and consistency, saying the fact he has continued to play at the highest level for such a long time is testament to his skill and dedication.“He hasn’t played lower grade cricket more or less since he started playing grade,” Peters says. In his first year of grade, in 1999, he played second grade and then the next year he played first grade. And the only time he’s ever played second grade since then is when the club dropped out of first grade for a couple of years.”In addition to his remarkable consistency, Hartgerink led KCCC to their maiden Sommers T20 trophy in 2022, steering the team to a thrilling win over Lake Illawarra. He played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring 40 runs, the second-highest total for his side.Despite his individual achievements, Hartgerink attributes much of his longevity to the camaraderie and mateship within the club.“I’ve made a lot of good friends at Kiama, and many of them are still playing with me,” Hartgerink says. “Some of these guys I’ve been playing alongside for 25 years. It’s also great to see the younger players coming through, which helps keep the team dynamic fresh and rejuvenates you.”Hartgerink’s commitment to the club extends beyond just playing. His passion for ensuring the future of KCCC is something he holds dear. “Going out with 11 guys each week and having a crack - that’s what matters to me,” he says. “I still enjoy it, and if I can help the younger players coming through, that’s where I’m at now. I’m committed to making sure the next generation of Kiama cricketers have a place to play in the future.”Peters, who captained Hartgerink in second grade during his early years at the club, spoke glowingly of his long-time teammate, both on and off the field.“He’s always been a committed player, and he’s such an affable bloke,” says Peters. “When Jaya’s got a smile on his face, it’s pure magic. He’s a fantastic person, a great friend, and always positive. His success is well deserved.”This season, the KCCC first grade team has had a mixed start, with two wins and three losses. But with players like Hartgerink at the helm, the team is eager to finish the season strong, with a crucial match against Shellharbour on November 30.The Bugle extends its congratulations to Jaya on an extraordinary achievement and looks forward to seeing what he accomplishes next!

From teaching lessons at Kiama Golf Club to competing against some of the world’s best at the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club, 23-year-old Wil Daibarra is representing Kiama on the world stage.Daibarra earned his spot in the prestigious event after a remarkable victory at the National Associate Championship on November 17, coming from six shots behind the leader to claim the title.As the winner, Daibarra earned the opportunity to compete in the BMW Australian PGA Championship, held from November 21 to 24, alongside some of the world's top golfers. He admits it took a moment to calm his nerves.“I was hitting balls next to Jason Day and Kiradech Aphibarnrat. It was pretty overwhelming seeing them right next to me on the putting green. I felt a little out of place at first, but as the week went on, I calmed down and got into the groove,” says Daibarra.The weather in Queensland was wild during the tournament, with 150mm of rain causing Friday’s play to be canceled. The harsh conditions and the added pressure of playing in front of a large crowd impacted Daibarra’s game.“I had a 1pm tee-off on the first day and got off to a hot start, shooting 2 under through 9. But then the rain started, the wind picked up, and I had a couple of bogeys. Friday was rained out, and on Saturday, with the weekend crowds, there were so many people out there,” says Daibarra.He finished the tournament at 6 over par, in 139th place overall. Though he wasn't thrilled with his performance, he relished the experience.“I wasn’t happy with how I played, but it was definitely nerve-racking—I'd never played in front of that many people before, and the course was tough. There were a few things I could have done better, but overall, it was a fantastic experience,” Daibarra says.In an interview with PGA Australia, Kiama Golf Club Professional Shaun O'Toole, who mentored Daibarra early on, described him as a natural talent with a laid-back attitude that made him stand out as a golfer.“I’ve worked with a lot of great kids, and Wil just had something in his swing that stood out to me,” O’Toole said. “There was no pressure on him. He had no expectations. He just went out and played and kept winning. It seemed like the easiest game in the world for him.”However, Daibarra acknowledges that the nerves and pressure caught up with him at the tournament. He’s now focused on managing his emotions and expectations to perform at his best.“On the first tee, I was so nervous I hit it way right. But once I got through that first hole, I was good. By the next day, I felt much more confident. It's something I’ve been working on—managing my expectations and emotions,” says Daibarra.Looking ahead, Daibarra is in the final year of his PGA Associate traineeship and has set his sights on playing his way onto the PGA Tour.“I’m finishing up my traineeship, with about a month to go. Next year, I hope to attend Qualifying School to secure a spot on the Australasian Tour. That’s the goal,” Daibarra says.

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 10 GIRLS FIRST NATIONAL ONE FITNESS QUEEN BEES VS TURBO TAGGERS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 6 COMPETITIONLITTLE LEGENDS VS POWER RAIDERS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 6 COMPETITIONLITTLE GLOWERS VS MUDCRABS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 14 BOYSVOODOO VOYAGERS VS TITANS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 14 BOYSKIAMA LIONS VS KD CREW

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 12 BOYSTHE MAD DOGS VS JUNIOR FRAMERS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 12 BOYSREBELS VS DRAGONS

350 nippers from Gerringong, Kiama, Kiama Downs, Shoalhaven Heads and Sussex Inlet swarmed Werri Beach on 24 November for the annual Saddleback Cup.This year's event marked the first time that Shoalhaven Heads and Sussex Inlet joined the competition, adding extra excitement and camaraderie to the already popular event.Now in its seventh year, the Saddleback Cup continues to grow in popularity, with surf clubs from across the region coming together for a day of fun and friendly competition. Despite challenging surf conditions, the event was a huge success, with young nippers eager to get involved and test their skills.Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) Vice President Mitch Payne reflected on the day’s success, highlighting the importance of encouraging participation rather than focusing solely on competition.“This year we invited Sussex Inlet and Shoalhaven Heads to get their kids involved and raise awareness for their clubs. It was busy, and the conditions were a bit rough and challenging for the kids, but they all got stuck in and had a blast. At the end of the day, it’s all about having a go and having fun,” Payne said.The Saddleback Cup was created seven years ago by Gerringong SLSC with the aim of increasing participation in surf life saving and fostering a competitive spirit in the region. Initially, it was a small event between the Kiama, Kiama Downs, and Gerringong clubs, with the goal of providing young competitors with a less formal and more enjoyable environment to develop their skills.“When we first started, not many of these clubs were competing in carnivals,” Payne says. “We wanted to help the kids build their confidence, improve their skills, and promote competition in a fun, relaxed setting.”Although the day is not about winning, Payne’s voice did seem to perk up when he announced that Gerringong SLSC ended up winners of the day.“Gerringong did come out at the top, but it was very close. I think it’s getting closer and closer every year,” says Payne.Looking ahead, Payne is confident that the Saddleback Cup is fulfilling its purpose of boosting participation and competitiveness in the local surf life saving community.“I think the Saddleback Cup is working really well,” Payne says. “Every year, we’re seeing more kids getting involved, developing their skills, and getting interested in competing. It’s great to see the enthusiasm growing, and it’s important for the future of surf life saving in the area.”Payne hopes that the event will continue to inspire the next generation of life savers. “We want to develop kids who’ll go all the way and become life savers themselves, volunteering their time to help keep our beaches safe.”A big thank you was extended by Payne to all the participating clubs, and he expressed his excitement for the event’s future.“We’re looking forward to next year and hopefully seeing even more kids getting involved in 2025,” he says.