Crew sizzles down south

Broome Surf Life Saving Club has shown its sea power after the women’s surf boat crew took part in the Surf Life Saving WA Country State Championships late last month.

Crew members Rebeca Famalonga, Carrie Selten, Annette Fuller and Jo Fox were guided by sweep Peter Selten to secure a win against Bunbury, Albany and Secret Harbour crews, despite being in second place for most of the race at Mullaloo beach on February 24.

Peter Selten, who is also the crew’s coach, said the team lifted from second place to take the win.

“We rowed on Saturday in the country champs,” he said.

“Despite being in second place for most of the race, we managed to row over a small swell to take victory across the line from the City of Bunbury crew,” he said.

“Albany finished third followed by Secret Harbour and Albany’s second crew — this was the fourth country championship for Broome SLSC open women’s boat crews.”

The team headed to the WA Masters State Championships the next day and won silver behind North Cottesloe surf club, but beat Albany in third place.

“In the masters, we were in the lead for most of the race but came unstuck in the last 200m in the choppy surf,” Selten said. The team attended a State rowing carnival in the open women’s division and qualified in fourth spot for the seven-boat final, in which they finished fifth.

“(Some) very hard-fought races over the weekend — the gold and silver medals were a great reward for all the months of training we put in,” Selten said.