Cable Beach awash with colours as Surf Lifesavers descend on Broome for Sunset Challenger

A popular Broome beach was awash with excitement over the weekend as some 200 athletes congregated for one of the biggest Surf Lifesaving events of the year.

The Sunset Challenger draws competitors from around Australia for an exciting two-day beach-based athletics carnival set against the turquoise water of world-famous Cable Beach.

Although this year’s competitors were without a base of operations — the Broome SLSC building is currently under construction — spirits were not dampened.

Athletes of all ages — nippers, cadets, seniors and masters — competed in the many disciples of Surf Life Saving including beach sprints and surf, board, wade and ski relays.

The weekend finished off with an impressive show of athleticism, the iconic Ironman race.

Two Victorian clubs — Lorne and Fairhaven — made the trip especially for the event and the opportunity to compete against four clubs from regional Western Australia — Dampier, Dongara/Denison, Esperance, Broome — and seven city-based clubs.

On Sunday evening, friendly rivalry was put aside as everyone came together for an award presentation at the Cable Beach Amphitheatre.

David Somers, the carnival referee, was thanked for his long-term supporter of this carnival and subsequently presented with a pearl shell before Broome Surf Life Saving Club Director of Competition Cam Wyllie presented the winners of the under eights with a mother of pearl shell trophy.

The master’s — several of whom were suffering soft tissue injuries — received their accolades while lounging on deck chairs after a big weekend of exercise.