The pair competed at the Lifesaving World Championships in the Netherlands where they both won a swag of medals. 

Forster Surf Life Saving Club member Laura achieved gold in both the surf and ski race, silver in the ocean woman and bronze in the board race. She was also awarded three silvers in the pool events.

Laura was ‘really happy’ with these results. 

She had spent winter training twice a day, three to four days a week in a mix of board paddling, swimming, ski paddling and pool rescue. 

In the Netherlands, Laura found her biggest competition came from an Irish woman. 

“She was serious competition,” Laura said.

“I managed to beat her in the surf race, so that was a good feeling.” 

Laura said competitors in Europe and the United Kingdom were particularly strong in the pool rescues. 

“Pool rescue is evolving, people can come up with different ways of doing things whereas in the ocean it all stays relatively the same, it’s up to the conditions.” 

Laura said conditions in the ocean events, despite good swell, were really rough.

She was relieved when conditions became calmer in the later half of the competition. 

Black Head Surf Life Saving Club member Noelene Young achieved gold in the board and iron woman, silver in the ski race and bronze in both the 1km run and beach flags. 

Noelene entered the over 60s age group but due to low numbers the 55-59 and 60-64 competed together.

To achieve her two golds, she beat women in the younger age group.

She said conditions were ‘sloppy and rippy’ and as the tide went out she had to do lots more running over sand banks.

The next day she decided to complete in events ‘for the fun of it’ where she gained her two bronze.

“There were six over 60 in each event,” she added. 

After the competition Noelene continued travelling in Andorra, Spain and Portugal.