Port Noarlunga S.L.S.C Australian Champions

Port Noarlunga S.L.S.C. Australian Champions


IRB Team

Byron, Cherie & Richard - Bronze Medal Aussie IRB Titles The Port Noarlunga IRB Team finished 7th at the 1996/97 Australian IRB Titles at Trigg Island in Western Australia. This is highest any club from South Australia has gained in Australian IRB Competition. The team, led by Richard Cunningham, Byron Mills and Cherie Foster (pictured right), who grabbed a Bronze medal in the Assembly Rescue, were just edge out of 6th place by North Burleigh (2 times Australian Champions) on a count back. Both clubs finished on 8 points, but North Burleigh had finished higher in some of the races. The competition was fast and furious as 44 clubs from Australia and 1 from New Zealand battled through heats, quarter finals and semi finals to gain a place in one of the five races.

The team managed to qualify 5 crews through to the semi finals and from the semi's, 3 crews into the finals. As well as the Bronze medal in the Assembly Rescue, the team gained a 4th in the same race, with Paul O'Dwyer, Darcy Lines and Simon Moseley. We also finished 6th in the Mass Rescue with Richard Cunningham, Byron Mills, Craig Fowler, Darren Gill and Cherie Foster. The final results were very close, with the winning club, Point Lookout finishing with 13 points, second place went to Bondi on 12 points and third place went to Nobby's and Brunswick with 11 points each (the officials were unable to separate them on a count back).

Grant Brown

Brownie on the winners dias in New Zealand Grant Brown or Brownie as he is known by his club mates is a most unlikely champion. Always the larrikin, lover of the amber fluid and all round top bloke, Brownie found his fame many years ago when he became a first year Veteran (Over 30's) Competitor, winning the Beach Flags event at the State Titles. Considering that he had done virtually no training what so ever, Brownie was somewhat pleased with the result.

Brownie came to dominate the Over 30's Beach Flags in the years to come and eventually decided to tackle the big league. In 1992 Brownie won gold at the Australian Masters Championships in the 35-39 year Beach Flags at Collaroy. He followed this success up again in 1993 winning the same event, this time at Kurrawa. He then received an invitation to compete in the World Titles at Mt. Maunganui in New Zealand in 1993 and won gold. He could have followed up this gold medal with a medal in the 35-39 year sprint the following day, but in his characteristic way Brownie had celebrated a bit to much the night before and finished a credible 4th. At the 1996/97 Australian Titles in Kurrawa, Brownie made it throught to the final of the 40-44 years Beach Flags, but was unfortunately disqualified in the run off for the gold.

Simon Martin

Simon competing in The State Iron Man Simon Martin transferred to The Port Noarlunga S.L.S.C. in 1991 from The South Port S.L.S.C. (SA). A tall, lanky lad, Simon was already being hailed as the next Dwayne Thuys. Everyone new that it would only be a matter of time before he would start to dominate the State Competition and follow that by making an impact at National level.

Simon won medal's in Board, Ski and Swim Event's and dominated the Under 18 and Open Iron Man Race's. Simon's hard work finally paid off with a sensational win in the Under 18 Ironman at the Australian Championships in Western Australia in 1993. Unfortunately for Port Noarlunga, Simon transferred back to South Port for the 1993/94 season and continued to dominate the State Competition.

Between each Summer Season, Simon moved to Queensland to train and eventually moved there permanently at the end of the 1993/94 Season. He joined the Tugan Surf Life Saving Club (home of Guy Andrews) and prepared himself for the qualifying race for the Uncle Toby's Ironman Series. Simon finished second to Michael King and qualified for the 1994/95 Series. Simon Finished the Series in 10th place overall, out of a total of 35 competitors.

The following Uncle Toby's Ironman Series in 1995/96 proved to be even better for Simon. He finished 3rd overall, behind his club mate and training partner, Guy Andrews and 2nd placed Scott Reaves.

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