Coach Mitch Miller is focused on helping Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club rebuild a strong surf sports program, as they prepare for the Youth State Championships.
Previously one of the top clubs at junior and open level, they stepped back from the surf spotlight with cost cutting measures.
But there is a renewed focus.
Miller is in his fourth year as coach there and said the current crop of juniors are “doing really well”.
“Obviously the more training you put in the better results you get.
“The club is trying to rebuild and has a good culture and it’s really exciting to be coaching the younger kids and bringing through the next generation of surf lifesaving athletes.”
Key to their development has been a focus on surf skills.
“The kids don’t get challenged a lot by the swell at Mooloolaba, so we go to Kawana twice a week and I’m really excited by their ability and how well they’ve done with the waves there,” Miller said.
“Hopefully, we can keep building on that.
“Surf skills are really important in surf lifesaving, especially when you go to places like Kirra for the state championships. It could be three to five foot there, so you’ve got to be able to get out through the waves and really showcase what skills you’ve learned.”
Miller said there was also a strong emphasis on enjoyment.
“I want them to have fun first and foremost.”
“We’re not a massive club but for the ones here, they should have fun and do the best they can.”
The club has about 400 nippers in its ranks and about 60 were presented with their kits for the state championships on Sunday, after qualifying for the annual event.
Miller said they should fare well, with a selection of them regarded serious contenders for titles.
Talented youngster Connor McNamara is among those set to compete in the under-14 ranks.
“I’m really excited to see how he is going,” Miller said.
“He’s been a slow burner, ticking away and putting the hard work in and he’s now starting to get a few results.”
Daisy Quinn is regarded a real prospect but will instead take part at the Australian Open Water Swimming Championships at Coolum this weekend.
Miller was a nipper at Mooloolaba and was part of a squad that captured overall honours at the Youth State Championships three years in succession.
He went to Noosa and Northcliffe and competed in the elite Ironman Series, and finished runner-up to Shannon Eckstein at the world championships in 2012.
Meanwhile, Mooloolaba’s senior squad boasted an all-star cast including Ali Day, Matt Poole, Kendrick Louis, Matt Bevilacqua, Josh Minogue and Alicia Marriott.
But the club cut costs in 2015, and head coach Michael King and the top athletes left.
Now, the nippers are developing and there is hope some of them will continue to compete for the club as seniors.
“We’re trying to hold on to as many of them as we can,” Miller said.
“It’s a slow process, rebuilding a surf sports club.
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“The goal now is to get Mooloolaba back to being a competitive surf sports club and we’re trying to create a culture of training hard and going to races and being competitive. And having fun is probably the most important thing.
“You can have some really good years with a good group of kids.”
Miller said he was relishing the role as coach.
“It’s good to give back to a sport that gave me so much.”
Mooloolaba is among several Sunshine Coast clubs bound for the Youth State Championships, to be held on the Gold Coast on March 12-14.
Maroochydore and Alexandra Headland should be among the clubs pressing claims for overall honours.
Other Sunshine Coast clubs set to have teams are Noosa Heads, Sunshine Beach, Coolum Beach, Marcoola, Mudjimba, Kawana Waters, Dicky Beach and Met Caloundra.
About 1600 nippers will take part in the carnival for under-11s to under-15s.
