Local Nippers take titles

DURBAN Surf Nippers travelled to Strand, Cape Town, recently to defend the National Club title they have consecutively won for the last six years.

On the first day in glorious weather Clifton Beach narrowly eclipsed Durban Surf by a few points after the beach flags had been run. By the end of the second day Durban Surf Nippers had jumped to a lead of almost 60 points, and by the conclusion of the 3rd day Durban Surf had amassed more than 50 per cent more points won by Clifton and 100 per cent more points that 4th placed, Pirates.

Durban Surf Nippers claimed the National Club title with 518 points, with Clifton second on 342 points and Umhlanga Rocks on 315 points.

Durban Surf won every age group except for the U14s where the team was beaten by approximately 15 points. The Durban Surf team had only one U14 male competing.

The club congratulated its members who raced in beach sprints, swam in the surf, paddled to victory on the boards and teamed up to win countless relays.

Durban Girls' College pupil, Tayla Gilmore, dominated the U14s in superior fashion winning all the water events in her age group. This was her last year competing as a nipper. Tayla started competing at the age of 10 and has remained unbeaten for the past five years in all the sea events at SA Champs. She has achieved victrix ludorum awards at provincial and national level for every age group she competed in.

Over the past five years she has contributed a massive haul of points, and it was more than fitting that she was called on to accept the Club trophy on behalf of the Durban Surf Nippers.

Tayla has her sights set on Springbok colours as she moves into junior level for the next season for Durban Surf. She was Durban Surf team captain this year as well as captain for the KZN A team that competed at the Inter-provincial Champs. She is currently also a level three swimmer and has competed at national swim and open water events in the past.

Other standouts at the event were Maris Stella pupils, Tannah Smith, who won the award for Competitor of the Championship in U10 age group and Bella Halstead who was the U12 girls' Competitor of the Championship.