Wanda's team: Finished second and was easily the best Sydney club; and (right) youngster Maddelyn Haywood, 11, with her two silver and three bronze medals from her first NSW Pool Rescue Championships.
WANDA Surf Life Saving Club has finished the top Sydney club and second overall behind the big Terrigal team in the NSW Pool Rescue Championships in Woy Woy.
Wanda fielded a small team of 19 competitors, but blasted past all other clubs by picking up 23 gold, 17 silver and 15 bronze medals last week. With many personal best performances, it places Wanda in a strong position for next week's National Pool Rescue Championships in Adelaide (August 17-19).
Coach Blake McCrindle has worked hard to build up the team the last few years — Wanda came second to Terrigal at the state titles and second at the nationals last year.
Cronulla finished fifth, with half as many points as Wanda. North Cronulla was 16th and Elouera 20th, out of the 27 pointscoring clubs.
The NSW championships included obstacle swims, manikin carries, line throws, medley relays and simulated emergency response competition, skills important for saving lives in the surf and also as great preparation for the coming World Surf Life Saving titles in Adelaide in November.
It is also important for athletes to include these skills in their repertoire for selection in state and national teams.
Wanda's best: Jed Boxall 7 gold, 1 bronze; Jessica Lauricella 6 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze; Blake McCrindle (coach) 4 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze; Jay Furniss 4 gold, 4 silver; Danielle McMahon 3 gold, 5 silver; Alex Clarke 3 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze; Taylar Puskaric 3 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze; Michaela Sargeant 2 gold, 2 silver; Katelyn Haywood 2 gold, 1 silver.
Top six clubs: Terrigal 463 points, Wanda 317, Bulli 187, Umina 180.5, Cronulla 152, Shell Harbour 100.5.
¦ Wanda has announced Lloyds Supa IGA of Cronulla as their new club sponsor, with a percentage of the profit from all IGA Signature and weekly nominated national brand products sold being donated into the Community Chest program to help support Wanda SLSC and its touring world title team.