NOWRA-CULBURRA Surf Lifesaving Club had one of its most successful NSW Championships on record, collecting five gold, three silver and a bronze medal at the All Phones NSW Surf Lifesaving Championships. The NSW Championships is one of the country’s largest surf sports events in 2010, attracting around 8000 competitors to Blacksmiths Beach, Swansea Belmont. Leading the charge for Nowra-Culburra was Karen Higgison who bagged two gold and two silver medals. Karen took out the over 40s surf swim and board rescue events and was desperately unlucky not to win a third gold when touched out in the rescue tube race to claim silver. Karen also won silver in the over 40s board race. Competing at her first State championships, Gaye Adlington came away with gold when she partnered Karen to win the over 40 board rescue event. Gaye and Karen dominated the event and led from start to finish to claim first. Gaye also claimed fifth in the 2km beach run and was sixth in the over 40s board race. Harry Scouller ran the race of his life claiming gold in the under 15s 2km beach run. Harry took control of the race early on, and with a Thirroul competitor sitting on his shoulder, surged away from the pack. A cat and mouse race of tactics developed, with Harry holding out a late surge from the Thirroul runner to out sprint him and claim the gold in a thrilling finish. Kirsty Higgison had a great carnival claiming a gold in the under 17 ski relay, silver in the Taplin relay and bronze in the board rescue. Kirsty was unlucky not to claim a medal in the ski final, her pet event, after being accidently taken out by another ski when rounding the cans. Alex Wright had his best championships making all individual finals in the under 13s ironperson, board and swim. Alex claimed a top six finish in the ironperson and top 10 in the board and swim events. His sister Hannah made it to the semis in her events, while Alex Richardson just missed out on the finals. Nowra-Culburra members are now preparing for the national championships in a fortnight’s time at Kurrawa Beach, Gold Coast Queensland. This Saturday is the Integral Energy South Coast Branch Championships at Warilla Beach. Nippers’ events kick off at 8.30am on Saturday with seniors to follow at 2pm the same day. Sunday is the surf board riding championships.