Warilla-Barrack Point's top junior surf lifesavers have successfully defended their home beach, the youngsters edging their rivals at Saturday's Summer Iron Classic.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With some of the state's top athletes descending on the region for the competition, racing was fierce.
The locals, however, enjoyed a successful event, with 21 Illawarra athletes finishing in the top three on Saturday.
Leading the way were the under 17s, with Bailey Krstevski taking out the boys event and Kirra Dale leading a Warilla-Barrack Point sweep of the podium.
Bulli's Chelsea Jones won the under 15 girls event, ahead of Warilla-Barrack Point's Tyler Richardson and Ivy Halliwell, while Jackson Blake claimed the boys race.
Kelly Blair and Jarlee Carberry were second and third respectively in the girls under 14 event, with Jackson Walsh claiming bronze in the boys under 14 competition.
The youngsters also succeeded, with Gigi Ackering winning silver in the under 9 girls race and Maddix Burke and Max Miller finished second and third respectively in the under 11 boys event.
Event organiser Craig Burke said the competition was a major success, with athlete numbers up on last year's inaugural running.
"The quality was awesome," Burke said. "Local athletes placed in nearly every race in the juniors.
"The Warilla kids did great, the standout was probably Bailey Krstevski who won the under 17 boys. His swim was awesome, he entered the water third and just gapped them.
"It's vital they get this racing practice now. They're doing all the hard yards now for the big meets after Christmas. That's when we have Country Championships and then the State Championships up in Swansea in late February, early March."
Saturday also saw the opens athletes compete, with Warilla product Hayden White finishing second in the men's event.
"The under 9s all the way up hung around and watched the opens go around. Hayden was awesome with the kids, he always is. He comes down and spends some time with them."
While you're with us the Illawarra Mercury is offering sport readers 20% off an annual digital subscription. Sign up to stay up to date with all the local sports you love for only $3.00 a week. Terms and conditions apply.